H93.242 ICD-10-CM Code: Temporary auditory threshold shift, left ear

Coding instructions

Official Tabular Instructional Notes: the inclusion, exclusion and sequencing notes published for H93.242 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list, quoted as published.

Source: CMS/CDC — ICD-10-CM Tabular ListRelease: FY2026Effective: October 1, 2025

Notes without a marker are published on H93.242 itself; “inherited from” names the category or block whose note applies here.

Coder workflow for H93.242

MedCoder structured workflow — derived from this code’s own official record

Before you code H93.242

1. Laterality is coded in this family. Confirm the side documented — right, left, or bilateral — and select the matching code (this page’s code: left). The unspecified-side code applies only when the record states no side. Laterality is assigned from the documented side; where a bilateral code exists and both sides are documented, it is used instead of two unilateral codes (Guidelines I.B.13).

   ReviewH93.241 · right, H93.243 · bilateral, H93.249 · unspecified

   Guide: Laterality coding →

Choose the right path

1. Is the side documented?
   Yes → Select the code for the documented side (or the bilateral code when both sides are documented and one exists).
   No → Use the unspecified-side code only when the record states no side; a query is the alternative.

   ReviewH93.241 · right, H93.243 · bilateral, H93.249 · unspecified

Consider H93.242. Then confirm the code is valid for the date of service in the Verify section.

Documentation check

The provider’s diagnostic statement

Codes are assigned from the provider’s documented diagnosis, not from clinical criteria, test values or a medication list (Guidelines I.A.19).

Laterality

Right, left or bilateral as documented; unspecified only when the record states no side (Guidelines I.B.13).

Official instructions as workflow

• Excludes2 — not part of H93.242(1 note)

  Coding workflow: The conditions named in this note are not included in H93.242. When the record documents both, both may be reported; the note is a boundary, not a prohibition.

  CompareR44.0

  See the official tabular notes · Guidelines I.A.12.b

Coding decision scenarios

Pattern scenarios for this code’s structure — decision rules, not clinical cases

Every row is derived from this code’s own record — its title, tabular notes, 7th-character family and same-category siblings — with fixed MedCoder wording; nothing is inferred about a patient. The official notes and guideline text are in the sections each row links to, and they control.

Official Coding Guidelines

No excerpt in the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines names this code specifically. Its chapter carries only this chapter-wide note:

Don’t confuse H93.242 with…

MedCoder analysis — pairs from this code’s official notes, distinctions written by MedCoder

The codes most likely to be picked instead of H93.242 — named in its own official notes, or sharing its laterality or encounter family — with what separates them and which documentation moves the case. Each links to the full comparison.

• H93.249— Specificity relationship (Review)

  Overlapping diagnoses in the same category.

  Overlapping codes in the same category — the documentation decides which is the more specific fit.

  What moves you there: A record that documents no more than “Temporary auditory threshold shift, unspecified ear” takes H93.249; specificity in the record moves it back here.

  Full comparison: H93.242 vs H93.249 →

• H93.241— Laterality relationship (Review)

  Same condition; these differ only in which side is documented.

  The same condition on the other side; the documented side decides, and a bilateral code, where one exists, replaces the pair when both sides are documented.

  What moves you there: A documented right side moves the case to H93.241.

  Full comparison: H93.242 vs H93.241 →

• H93.243— Laterality relationship (Review)

  Same condition; these differ only in which side is documented.

  The same condition on the other side; the documented side decides, and a bilateral code, where one exists, replaces the pair when both sides are documented.

  What moves you there: Documentation of both sides moves the case to H93.243.

  Full comparison: H93.242 vs H93.243 →

• R44.0— Excludes2 relationship (Informational)

  Distinct conditions — both may be reported.

  A distinct condition — both may be reported when both are documented.

  What moves you there: Documentation of auditory hallucinations adds R44.0; it is not part of this code and both may be reported when both are documented.

  Full comparison: H93.242 vs R44.0 →

Relationships are read from this code's own official notes, its laterality siblings and its encounter family; the wording of each distinction is MedCoder editorial, and the documentation named in each “what moves you there” line is the official note phrase or sibling title itself. Source: CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes; ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a.

Verify Before Coding

• No Medicare Code Editor or MS-DRG Definitions Manual restrictions apply to this code.

From the code registry, the Medicare Code Editor, and the MS-DRG Definitions Manual. Check it against a full claim in Claim Check.

Relationships & Classification

MedCoder structured relationships — computed from published CMS and AHRQ datasets

Other codes that name H93.242 or its code family, from the CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes. Tabular-note edges are stored at the code family level that carries each note.

Referenced by 2 Excludes1 notes: H90.5 — Unspecified sensorineural hearing loss (via H93.2.-), H91 — Other and unspecified hearing loss (via H93.2.-).

These codes’ tabular lists mark this diagnosis as mutually exclusive — not reported together unless the conditions are documented as unrelated.

MS-DRG Grouper Relationships (FY2026)

Potential MS-DRG participation — not a DRG assignment.

FY2026 MS-DRG: not on the CMS CC/MCC list — as a secondary diagnosis this code does not change MS-DRG severity for that release.

Named in the grouper logic of 3 MS-DRGs: DRG 154 (MDC 03), DRG 155 (MDC 03), DRG 156 (MDC 03).

From the CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendices B and C). Actual DRG assignment depends on the complete claim.

Clinical classification (AHRQ CCSR):EAR006 — Other specified and unspecified disorders of the ear (default).

Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR) for ICD-10-CM Diagnoses. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Related Codes

Same condition, opposite side

Same category and title, differing only in which side of the body is affected.

H93.241 — Temporary auditory threshold shift, right ear (right)Compare H93.242 vs H93.241 →, H93.243 — Temporary auditory threshold shift, bilateral (bilateral)Compare H93.242 vs H93.243 →, H93.249 — Temporary auditory threshold shift, unspecified ear (unspecified)Compare H93.242 vs H93.249 →

Same clinical category (CCSR)

AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software groups these diagnoses under the same clinical category (Other specified and unspecified disorders of the ear).

H93.219 — Auditory recruitment, unspecified ear, H93.221 — Diplacusis, right ear, H93.222 — Diplacusis, left ear, H93.223 — Diplacusis, bilateral, H93.229 — Diplacusis, unspecified ear, H93.231 — Hyperacusis, right ear, H93.232 — Hyperacusis, left ear, H93.233 — Hyperacusis, bilateral, H93.239 — Hyperacusis, unspecified ear, H93.241 — Temporary auditory threshold shift, right ear, H93.243 — Temporary auditory threshold shift, bilateral, H93.249 — Temporary auditory threshold shift, unspecified ear, H93.25 — Central auditory processing disorder, H93.291 — Other abnormal auditory perceptions, right ear, H93.292 — Other abnormal auditory perceptions, left ear, H93.293 — Other abnormal auditory perceptions, bilateral, H93.299 — Other abnormal auditory perceptions, unspecified ear, H93.3X1 — Disorders of right acoustic nerve, H93.3X2 — Disorders of left acoustic nerve, H93.3X3 — Disorders of bilateral acoustic nerves, +190 more

Same Index main term, other category

The ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries files this code under the main term “Shift”; these codes share that main term but sit in a different category of the Tabular List.

G93.5 — Compression of brain (midline, brain), R93.89 — Abnormal findings on diagnostic imaging of other specified body structures (mediastinal), S06.A0 — Traumatic brain compression without herniation (midline, brain, traumatic), S06.A1 — Traumatic brain compression with herniation (midline, brain, traumatic, with herniation)

Contextual Map

Every relationship of H93.242 in one view: hierarchy, official tabular instructions in both directions, clinical classification, risk adjustment, MS-DRG participation, index terms and change history — each edge carrying the CMS source it derives from.

Run H93.242 with these 2 related codes in Claim Check

Hierarchy

• H60-H95 — Chapter 8: Diseases of the Ear and Mastoid Process (H60-H95) (H60-H95)[Hierarchy]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• H90-H94 — Other disorders of ear[Hierarchy]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026

Referenced by Excludes1 notes

• H90.5 — Unspecified sensorineural hearing loss[Excludes1](via H93.2.-): “abnormal auditory perception (H93.2-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026
• H91 — Other and unspecified hearing loss[Excludes1](via H93.2.-): “abnormal auditory perception (H93.2-)”— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular instructional notes · icd10cm-fy2026

Clinical classification (CCSR)

• EAR006 — Other specified and unspecified disorders of the ear[CCSR]— AHRQ CCSR for ICD-10-CM Diagnoses (HCUP)

MS-DRG Grouper

• DRG 154 — OTHER EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT DIAGNOSES WITH MCC[MS-DRG]: “OTHER EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT DIAGNOSES WITH MCC (MDC 03)”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendix B) · FY2026
• DRG 155 — OTHER EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT DIAGNOSES WITH CC[MS-DRG]: “OTHER EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT DIAGNOSES WITH CC (MDC 03)”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendix B) · FY2026
• DRG 156 — OTHER EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT DIAGNOSES WITHOUT CC/MCC[MS-DRG]: “OTHER EAR, NOSE, MOUTH AND THROAT DIAGNOSES WITHOUT CC/MCC (MDC 03)”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (Appendix B) · FY2026

MDC crossing

• MDC 03 — Diseases and Disorders of the Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat[MDC crossing]: “Diseases and Disorders of the Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat — the grouper's crossing between diagnoses and procedures: a principal diagnosis sets the MDC, and same-MDC procedures move the stay to its surgical DRGs. 5,147 same-MDC procedures group here; browse them on the MDC page.”— CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual · FY2026

Nearest codes (40)

• H93 — Other disorders of ear, not elsewhere classified[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• H93.13 — Tinnitus, bilateral[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• H93.19 — Tinnitus, unspecified ear[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• H93.2 — Other abnormal auditory perceptions[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• H93.21 — Auditory recruitment[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• H93.211 — Auditory recruitment, right ear[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• H93.212 — Auditory recruitment, left ear[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• H93.213 — Auditory recruitment, bilateral[Sibling]— CMS ICD-10-CM tabular structure · icd10cm-fy2026
• and 32 more

Change history

• FY2016 — In the code set at ICD-10-CM adoption [Change history]— CMS release files (code change ledger) · icd10cm-fy2016

Sources for this page

Codes, titles, notes, index terms and mappings on this page are transcribed from the datasets below. Relationships MedCoder computed and text MedCoder wrote are labelled where they appear.

Code, title, tabular notes and index terms Official source data

CMS/CDC ICD-10-CM FY2026 tabular list, index and tables, effective October 1, 2025 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Coding guidelines Official source data

ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting (FY2026), quoted by section Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Claim edits Official source data

CMS Definitions of Medicare Code Edits — v43.1 (April 2026) Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Inpatient payment groups Official source data

CMS MS-DRG Definitions Manual (incl. Appendix B diagnosis index, Appendix C CC/MCC list, Appendix E procedure index) and IPPS Final Rule tables — v43 Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Change history and date-of-service validity Official source data

CMS ICD-10-CM release addenda, ingested release by release into the change ledger Release, file and checksum · Publisher’s page

Comparisons, relationships and the contextual map MedCoder structured relationship

Computed by MedCoder from the tabular notes and tables above; every derived relationship is marked as derived where it appears

Summary and FAQ answers MedCoder explanation

Written by MedCoder to explain the sources above: drafted with AI assistance, checked by a person against the release files, and labelled as MedCoder text where it appears. Not official text.

Labels on this page: Official source data · MedCoder structured relationship · MedCoder explanation. How to read the labels · All data sources and release dates

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to H93.242 in its code family, with their registry titles.

• H93.232 — Hyperacusis, left ear
• H93.233 — Hyperacusis, bilateral
• H93.239 — Hyperacusis, unspecified ear
• H93.24 — Temporary auditory threshold shift
• H93.241 — Temporary auditory threshold shift, right ear
• H93.243 — Temporary auditory threshold shift, bilateral
• H93.249 — Temporary auditory threshold shift, unspecified ear
• H93.25 — Central auditory processing disorder
• H93.29 — Other abnormal auditory perceptions
• H93.291 — Other abnormal auditory perceptions, right ear

View all codes in the H93 family