Chapter 8: Diseases of Ear and Mastoid Process (H6Ø-H95) Some general notes and definitions for this chapter. IF there is a note at the beginning of the chapter that states to use an external cause code following the code for the condition of the ear, that will identify the cause of the ear condition. The external ear consists of the pinna or auricular, and the external acoustic meatus. Otitis media is any inflammation of the middle ear not indicating etiology or pathogenesis. Definitions: Otitis media (OM), acute OM (AOM), OM with effusion (OME) and lacks signs and symptoms of infection. Chronic suppurative OM is a chronic inflammation of the middle ear lasting at least 6 weeks, associated with otorrhea through a perforated tympanic membrane (TM), and indwelling tympanostomy tube, or a surigal myringotomy. Further labeled as acute - acute onset, persistent – if there is a relapse within one month of treatment, recurrent - if there are 3 or more incidents/e