Q16 – Congenital malformations of ear causing impairment of hearing
ICD-10-CM 2027 diagnosis code · Congenital malformations of eye, ear, face and neck
ICD-10-CM code
Q16
- Code
Q16(claims format:Q16)- Description
- Congenital malformations of ear causing impairment of hearing
- Short description
- Congenital malform of ear causing impairment of hearing
- Billable
- No – use a more specific code below
- Valid for
- Dates of service October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 (FY2027)
- Chapter
- 17. Congenital malformations, deformations, chromosomal abnormalities, and genetic disorders (Q00-QA1)
- Block
- Q10-Q18 Congenital malformations of eye, ear, face and neck
Billable codes under Q16
Q16 is a header code and cannot be used on claims. Choose the most specific code:
- Q16.0 – Congenital absence of (ear) auricleBillable
- Q16.1 – Congenital absence, atresia and stricture of auditory canal (external)Billable
- Q16.2 – Absence of eustachian tubeBillable
- Q16.3 – Congenital malformation of ear ossiclesBillable
- Q16.4 – Other congenital malformations of middle earBillable
- Q16.5 – Congenital malformation of inner earBillable
- Q16.9 – Congenital malformation of ear causing impairment of hearing, unspecifiedBillable
Notes for Q16
Excludes1 (not coded here):
- congenital deafness (H90.-)
Notes inherited from parent codes
Instructional notes at a category or block level apply to every code below it.
Block Q10-Q18
Excludes2 (not included here):
- cleft lip and cleft palate (Q35-Q37)
- congenital malformation of cervical spine (Q05.0, Q05.5, Q67.5, Q76.0-Q76.4)
- congenital malformation of larynx (Q31.-)
- congenital malformation of lip NEC (Q38.0)
- congenital malformation of nose (Q30.-)
- congenital malformation of parathyroid gland (Q89.2)
- congenital malformation of thyroid gland (Q89.2)
Frequently asked questions
What is ICD-10 code Q16?
Q16 is the ICD-10-CM code for congenital malformations of ear causing impairment of hearing, in the block Q10-Q18 (Congenital malformations of eye, ear, face and neck).
Is Q16 a billable code?
No. Q16 is a header code with more specific child codes; report one of the billable codes listed above.
Source: CDC/NCHS ICD-10-CM FY2027 code files, tabular list and index. Reference only – code assignment must follow the official ICD-10-CM guidelines and documentation in the medical record.