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ICD-11 Classification of Hearing Impairment
In ICD-11, hearing impairment sits in Chapter 08 (Diseases of the ear and mastoid process) under the hearing impairment and deafness block, principally AB50 (conductive, sensorineural or mixed) and AB51. Type, laterality and WHO severity grades are specified; functional impact is captured via the ICF.
In this answer 5 sections
The first question a referring clinician often asks is simply: where does hearing impairment sit in ICD-11?
In short
In ICD-11, hearing impairment is coded primarily within Chapter 08 — Diseases of the ear and mastoid process, under the block Hearing impairment and deafness. The two principal entities are AB50 Conductive, sensorineural or mixed hearing impairment and AB51 Other specified hearing impairment, with laterality (unilateral/bilateral) and severity recorded through ICD-11 stem-and-extension coding. WHO grades severity (mild, moderate, severe, profound, complete) by better-ear hearing threshold, aligning with the World Report on Hearing. Functional impact is captured separately via the ICF, not the diagnostic code itself.
The classification, in detail
- Chapter 08 (Diseases of the ear and mastoid process) houses the diagnostic codes for hearing loss by mechanism — conductive, sensorineural, or mixed.
- Type is specified (e.g. sensorineural vs conductive), and laterality is added as an extension code where the platform supports stem-and-extension entry.
- Severity follows WHO audiometric grades based on the better-ear average threshold; "deafness" denotes profound or complete loss.
- Aetiology (e.g. congenital, ototoxic, infective, age-related) is captured with additional codes rather than within the hearing-impairment stem.
- Where hearing loss drives a communication or learning consequence, that functional dimension belongs in the ICF, complementing — not replacing — the ICD-11 diagnostic code.
A clinical caution: in early childhood, confirmed hearing impairment must be distinguished from — and ruled out before — attributing language delay to autism or global developmental delay, since untreated hearing loss is a common, treatable driver of speech and social-communication concerns.
When to refer
Any failed newborn hearing screen, parental concern about responsiveness to sound, absent babble by 9–12 months, or regression in vocalisation warrants prompt audiological assessment. Early identification and amplification or intervention materially change speech-language trajectories.
The Pinnacle way
Developmental measurement supports care planning; diagnosis requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional., under qualified clinician care — never from a code lookup or an online form. For children where confirmed hearing impairment affects communication, our speech therapy pathway works alongside audiology, and the AbilityScore® gives a measurable functional baseline to track progress. Partner with us for coordinated developmental care.
Trusted sources
WHO ICD-11 (Chapter 08, hearing impairment and deafness block); WHO guidance on grades of hearing loss; CDC developmental milestones; American Academy of Pediatrics newborn hearing screening guidance.
Next step — Confirmed or suspected hearing impairment with a communication impact? Refer to a Pinnacle clinician for coordinated audiology-aligned developmental assessment.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
CONNECT THE ANSWER TO YOUR CHILD’S DAY
Something to notice. Something to discuss.
What to notice
Failed newborn hearing screen, no consistent response to sound, absent babble by 9–12 months, or regression in vocalisation — all warrant prompt audiological assessment, and hearing loss should be ruled out before attributing delay to other causes.
In everyday life
Before attributing a young child's language delay to autism or global delay, confirm hearing status first — untreated hearing loss is a common and treatable driver of speech and social-communication concerns.
Bring your observations and questions to your child’s professional. Choose activities that suit your child’s comfort, abilities and agreed plan.
Bring your questions to a first visitQuestions families ask
Where does hearing impairment sit in ICD-11?
Within Chapter 08, Diseases of the ear and mastoid process, under the hearing impairment and deafness block — principally AB50 (conductive, sensorineural or mixed hearing impairment) and AB51 (other specified hearing impairment).
How is severity recorded?
WHO grades severity (mild, moderate, severe, profound, complete) by the better-ear hearing threshold, consistent with the World Report on Hearing. Severity and laterality are captured alongside the diagnostic stem.
Does ICD-11 capture the functional impact of hearing loss?
The diagnostic code records the type and severity of impairment; the functional consequences for communication, learning and participation are captured separately through the ICF, which complements the ICD-11 code.
Why rule out hearing loss before other developmental labels?
Untreated hearing impairment is a common, treatable cause of language delay and social-communication concerns. Confirming hearing status prevents misattribution to autism or global developmental delay.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
References behind this answer.
- Source referenceWHO ICD-11
- Organisation website · further readingWHO — World Report on Hearing
- Source referenceCDC — Learn the Signs. Act Early.
- Organisation website · further readingAmerican Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
References are supplied with this answer. An organisation homepage offers further reading; it does not establish an independent review of this page.
Content attribution: SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network.
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