ICD10
ICD-10 Code H65.2: Chronic serous otitis media
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 chronic serous otitis media 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
H65-H75Diseases of middle ear and mastoid
category
H65Nonsuppurative otitis media
currentH65
Official coding notes
Inclusion terms
- Chronic tubotympanal catarrh
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 1083421000119103high
Bilateral chronic serosanguineous otitis media of middle ears
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 194248004high
Bilateral chronic serous otitis
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 81564005high
Chronic serous otitis media
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 765152004high
Chronic serous otitis media of left ear
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 765153009high
Chronic serous otitis media of right ear
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 38596008high
Chronic tubotympanic catarrh
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
H65.2
Replacement codes
H65.20 — Chronic serous otitis media, unspecified earH65.21 — Chronic serous otitis media, right earH65.22 — Chronic serous otitis media, left earH65.23 — Chronic serous otitis media, bilateral
Common synonyms
Chronic serous otitis media
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.