Diseases of the ear and mastoid process

This chapter includes disorders affecting hearing and balance. It covers conditions of the external ear (like otitis externa), middle ear (such as otitis media), inner ear disorders (including Ménière’s disease), and mastoid process infections. Hearing loss is a major component of this chapter and is classified by type (conductive, sensorineural, mixed), onset (congenital or acquired), and laterality. Tinnitus and vertigo are also included when attributed to ear pathology.
Acute and chronic infections are differentiated carefully, particularly in pediatric populations where recurrent otitis media is common. The chapter also includes perforation of the tympanic membrane and Eustachian tube dysfunction. Balance disorders connected to inner ear dysfunction are coded here, while neurological causes of vertigo may be classified under nervous system disorders. Precise documentation helps determine whether surgical interventions (such as tympanostomy tubes) or hearing devices are required. Since hearing is critical for communication and development, especially in children, this chapter has important implications for early intervention and rehabilitation services.