Anpheros Search · Condition

Disorders with hearing impairment, unspecified

General information only. Anpheros does not diagnose and does not recommend treatment. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about your situation. In an emergency, call 112 (or your local emergency number).

In short

Hearing disorders make it hard, but not impossible, to hear, whereas deafness can prevent hearing sound at all. Hearing loss can be caused by heredity, diseases such as ear infections and meningitis, trauma, certain medicines, long-term exposure to loud noise, or aging. The condition is divided into two main types: permanent hearing loss from damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve, and reversible hearing loss caused by sound waves being blocked by earwax buildup, fluid, or a punctured eardrum. If untreated, hearing problems can worsen, but they can often be helped with treatments such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, special training, certain medicines, or surgery.

Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.

AI-generated summary of the sources cited on this page, checked automatically against them. Not reviewed by a clinician; not medical advice.

Codes

ICD-10
H91
ICD-11
AB5Z Disorders with hearing impairment, unspecified

Description

It's frustrating to be unable to hear well enough to enjoy talking with friends or family. Hearing disorders make it hard, but not impossible, to hear. They can often be helped. Deafness can keep you from hearing sound at all.

What causes hearing loss? Some possibilities are:

  • Heredity
  • Diseases such as ear infections and meningitis
  • Trauma
  • Certain medicines
  • Long-term exposure to loud noise
  • Aging

There are two main types of hearing loss. One happens when your inner ear or auditory nerve is damaged. This type is usually permanent. The other kind happens when sound waves cannot reach your inner ear. Earwax buildup, fluid, or a punctured eardrum can cause it. Treatment or surgery can often reverse this kind of hearing loss.

Untreated, hearing problems can get worse. If you have trouble hearing, you can get help. Possible treatments include hearing aids, cochlear implants, special training, certain medicines, and surgery.

NIH: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.

Next to it in ICD-10

Neighbouring codes in the classification, not a medical link.

External resources

Questions

What is the ICD-10 code for Disorders with hearing impairment, unspecified?

H91 (WHO, International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision).

What is the ICD-11 code for Disorders with hearing impairment, unspecified?

AB5Z: Disorders with hearing impairment, unspecified (WHO, ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics).

Sources and attribution

  • ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics, © World Health Organization, licensed under CC BY-ND 3.0 IGO.
  • Names other than the official source titles: Anpheros translations and plain-language names, made with AI assistance and checked automatically; the source names are in English.
  • Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
  • ICD-10 codes and titles © World Health Organization. Source: WHO, International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (2019).

Anpheros Search catalog 2026.10.5, published 17 October 2026. About the data →