What does ICD-10 code H72 mean?

ICD-10 code H72 is the standardized code used for perforation of tympanic membrane in medical records and coding systems.

When is ICD-10 code H72 used?

Doctors, hospitals, and insurers may use ICD-10 code H72 when recording perforation of tympanic membrane in a standardized format. This entry may also act as a broader category that points toward more specific child codes.

Does ICD-10 code H72 confirm a diagnosis?

No. A code helps standardize documentation and claims, but it should not be read as a substitute for a clinician's full assessment.

ICD10

ICD-10 Code H72: Perforation of tympanic membrane

Name: ICD-10 Code H72: Perforation of tympanic membrane
Creator: HealthAssure Clinical Team
Published: 2026-05-21T06:12:13.922Z

H72 is an ICD-10 diagnosis entry used to group records related to Perforation of tympanic membrane. 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. 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).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 21 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 perforation of tympanic membrane 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

currentH65-H75

Official coding notes

Includes

persistent post-traumatic perforation of ear drum
postinflammatory perforation of ear drum

Applicable to

any associated otitis media (H65.-, H66.1-, H66.2-, H66.3-, H66.4-, H66.9-, H67.-)

Excludes1 (do not code together)

acute suppurative otitis media with rupture of the tympanic membrane (H66.01-)
traumatic rupture of ear drum (S09.2-)

Code first

any associated otitis media (H65.-, H66.1-, H66.2-, H66.3-, H66.4-, H66.9-, H67.-)

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

Sibling codes

H65Nonsuppurative otitis media H66Suppurative and unspecified otitis media H67Otitis media in diseases classified elsewhere H68Eustachian salpingitis and obstruction H69Other and unspecified disorders of Eustachian tube H70Mastoiditis and related conditions H71Cholesteatoma of middle ear H73Other disorders of tympanic membrane H74Other disorders of middle ear mastoid H75Other disorders of middle ear and mastoid in diseases classified elsewhere

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

H72

Common synonyms

Perforation of tympanic membrane

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.