Primary blast injury of ear, bilateral, sequela

This code signifies a long-term effect or complication arising from a primary blast injury affecting both ears. This type of injury results from the direct impact of a blast wave on the auditory system, leading to conditions such as tympanic membrane perforation, ossicular chain disruption, or inner ear damage. The "sequela" designation indicates that the acute injury has resolved, but residual problems persist.

Use this code when documenting a chronic or residual condition of both ears directly attributable to a primary blast injury that occurred in the past. This code is appropriate for patients presenting with ongoing hearing loss, tinnitus, or vestibular dysfunction stemming from such an event. Documentation should clearly link the current ear pathology to a previously sustained primary blast injury.

• Requires a seventh character "S" for sequela, indicating a late effect of the injury.
• Always sequence this code after the code(s) identifying the specific sequela (e.g., H90.3 for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss).
• Ensure documentation explicitly states "primary blast injury" and "bilateral" involvement, along with the chronic nature of the condition.