F32.9 - Major depressive disorder, single episode, unspecified

Clinical Definition

A blocked ear canal (external auditory canal) due to an accumulation of excessive or impacted cerumen (earwax). The condition can cause hearing difficulties, tinnitus, or discomfort.

Documentation Requirements

• Laterality - Must specify:

  • Right ear

  • Left ear

  • Bilateral (both ears)

• Chronicity

  • Acute vs. chronic

  • Recurrent if applicable

• Associated Symptoms (if present):

  • Hearing loss

  • Tinnitus

  • Pain

  • Dizziness

• Type of Impaction

  • Complete vs. partial obstruction

  • Presence of foreign material (if applicable)

Common Synonyms

• Earwax buildup

• Plugged ear

• Waxy ears

• Ear blockage

• Ear congestion

Coding Conflicts

Excludes1:

• Foreign body in auditory canal

• External otitis due to infection

Excludes2:

• Acquired stenosis of external ear canal

Scribing.io Automation

The AI scribe automatically identifies and captures:

• Anatomical terms ("external auditory canal", "ear canal")

• Descriptive terms for impaction ("blocked", "impacted", "occluded")

• Laterality mentions

• Associated symptoms when documented

• Treatment modalities (irrigation, manual removal, cerumenolytics)

The system will prompt for missing elements like laterality if not initially documented.