Ankylosis of ear ossicles, bilateral

This code describes a condition where the small bones (ossicles) in both middle ears become stiff or fused, impairing their ability to vibrate and transmit sound. This ankylosis leads to conductive hearing loss as sound waves cannot be efficiently transferred from the eardrum to the inner ear.

Use this code when documentation explicitly states bilateral ankylosis of the ear ossicles, often identified during otoscopic examination, audiometry, or surgical exploration. It applies to cases where the stiffness affects both ears, regardless of the underlying cause (e.g., otosclerosis, infection, trauma).

• Ensure documentation specifies "bilateral" involvement; separate codes exist for unilateral ankylosis.
• Do not confuse with otosclerosis (H80.-), which is a common cause but not synonymous with ossicular ankylosis itself.
• Code any underlying cause of the ankylosis (e.g., chronic otitis media, otosclerosis) as an additional diagnosis.