Q16.2 Absence of eustachian tube

Billable ICD-10-CM code, FY2026. Exempt from present-on-admission (POA) reporting.

Applies from Q16 Congenital malformations of ear causing impairment of hearing

Excludes1 (never code together)

• congenital deafness (H90.-)

MS-DRG index

Defines the logic of DRG(s) 154-156 in MDC 03.

Approximate ICD-9-CM (GEMs)

• 744.24 Specified anomalies of Eustachian tube (approximate)

Code annotations containing back-references to Q16.2

Back-references to Q16.2

• Type 1 Excludes: Q17 Other congenital malformations of ear ("congenital malformations of ear with impairment of hearing (Q16.0-Q16.9)")

Diagnosis Index entries for Q16.2

• Absence (of) (organ or part) (complete or partial) › eustachian tube (congenital)
• Agenesis › eustachian tube
• Malformation (congenital) › ear › middle › absence of eustachian tube

Nearby codes

• Q16 Congenital malformations of ear causing impairment of hearing
• Q16.0 Congenital absence of (ear) auricle
• Q16.1 Congenital absence, atresia and stricture of auditory canal (external)
• Q16.2 Absence of eustachian tube (this code)
• Q16.3 Congenital malformation of ear ossicles
• Q16.4 Other congenital malformations of middle ear
• Q16.5 Congenital malformation of inner ear
• Q16.9 Congenital malformation of ear causing impairment of hearing, unspecified