ICD10
ICD-10 Code H61.9: Disorder of external ear, unspecified
Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 26 May 2026
What is this code?
ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the ear and mastoid process (H60-H95).
When is it used?
- May be used when a clinician documents disorder of external ear, unspecified in a patient's medical record.
- May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
- This code may act more like a grouping or parent code, so a more specific child code may be used in final documentation when available.
What it does not mean
- A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
- A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.
- This entry may represent a broader category rather than the most specific billable code.
Code hierarchy
chapter
8Diseases of the ear and mastoid process (H60-H95)
block
H60-H62Diseases of external ear
category
H61Other disorders of external ear
currentH61
Where you may see this code
You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen.
Related specialists
ENT Specialist
Related codes
Sibling codes
Mapped diagnoses and classifications
SNOMED_CT 109908000high
Acquired anomaly of external ear
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 1083721000119107high
Disorder of bilateral external ears
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 49130001high
Disorder of external ear
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 1088851000119101high
Disorder of left external ear
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 1091461000119106high
Disorder of right external ear
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 300138002high
Ear canal problem
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
Coding guidelines
Compatibility
Legacy code aligns to an official FY 2026 category. Frontend should resolve to the official category page and surface the billable child codes.
Legacy codes
H61.9
Replacement codes
H61.90 — Disorder of external ear, unspecified, unspecified earH61.91 — Disorder of right external ear, unspecifiedH61.92 — Disorder of left external ear, unspecifiedH61.93 — Disorder of external ear, unspecified, bilateral
Common synonyms
Disorder of external ear, unspecifiedDisorder of external ear
Frequently asked questions
About this content
This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.