Injury of acoustic nerve, unspecified side, sequela

This code signifies a long-term or late effect resulting from a past injury to the acoustic nerve, which is responsible for hearing and balance. It indicates that the specific side (left or right) affected by the sequela is not documented or cannot be determined.

Apply this code when documentation clearly states a residual condition or complication directly attributable to a previous acoustic nerve injury, and the laterality is unspecified. This is appropriate for conditions like persistent hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance issues that are chronic and follow an earlier, acute acoustic nerve trauma.

• Requires a seventh character 'S' for sequela, indicating the long-term nature of the condition.
• Always sequence the sequela code first, followed by codes for the specific residual condition(s) (e.g., hearing loss, vertigo).
• Ensure documentation explicitly links the current condition to a past acoustic nerve injury, not an acute or ongoing injury.