H93.19

What This Code Means

Tinnitus is a persistent ringing, buzzing, or other noise in the ear that only the patient can hear, and this code is used when the specific ear affected is not documented or when it affects both ears equally. It is not caused by an external sound source and can range from mildly annoying to severely disruptive.

Coding Tips

• •If the documentation specifies which ear is affected (right, left, or bilateral), use the more specific codes H93.11, H93.12, or H93.13 instead of the unspecified code H93.19
• •Tinnitus is often secondary to other conditions like hearing loss, ear infections, or medication side effects; review the medical record to determine if a primary condition should also be coded