Injury to acoustic nerve

This code signifies damage or trauma specifically affecting the eighth cranial nerve, responsible for hearing and balance. It encompasses various forms of injury to the auditory and vestibular components of the nerve, leading to potential hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, or balance disturbances.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a direct injury to the acoustic nerve, such as from head trauma, barotrauma, or iatrogenic damage during surgery. Supporting documentation should specify the cause and nature of the acoustic nerve injury.

• Differentiate from inner ear disorders (e.g., labyrinthitis) unless the acoustic nerve itself is directly injured.
• Consider an external cause code (E-code) to describe the circumstances of the injury.
• Ensure documentation specifies "injury" to the acoustic nerve, not just symptoms like hearing loss, which could have other etiologies.