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CPT 92651: Auditory Response Test for Hearing Assessment

CPT code 92651 represents an objective diagnostic procedure that measures a patient’s response to nonspecific frequency sound stimuli to determine hearing status, with interpretation and a formal report. This code is used across outpatient audiology clinics and diagnostic facilities and matters nationally because accurate classification of hearing impairment drives clinical management, habilitation/rehabilitation planning, and appropriate allocation of follow-up services such as hearing aids or further testing.

Key payers discussed include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Readers will find a concise national overview of code intent and clinical context, typical sites of service, and the common modifiers associated with billing for this audiologic diagnostic. The publication outlines what stakeholders should expect in terms of coding purpose, documentation components, and the role of the test in patient pathways.

The analysis covers benchmark topics and policy-relevant items: typical clinical indications and reporting expectations for 92651, documentation elements that support medical necessity, payer coverage landscape highlights, and common billing modifiers used with this diagnostic service. Data not available in the input is noted where applicable.

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 92651 measures a patient’s response to nonspecific frequency sound stimuli to evaluate hearing status. The service includes interpretation and a written report of the findings.

Service type: Diagnostic auditory evoked response test (hearing assessment)

Typical site of service: Audiology clinic or outpatient diagnostic facility

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CPT 92651: Auditory Response Test for Hearing Assessment

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Billing Code Overview

CPT code 92651 measures a patient’s response to nonspecific frequency sound stimuli to evaluate hearing status. The service includes interpretation and a written report of the findings.

Service type: Diagnostic auditory evoked response test (hearing assessment)

Typical site of service: Audiology clinic or outpatient diagnostic facility

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

A 45-year-old patient presents to an outpatient audiology clinic with complaints of progressive difficulty hearing conversations in noisy environments and intermittent tinnitus. The audiologist conducts a speech reception threshold screen and determines that diagnostic behavioral pure tone testing is indicated to quantify hearing sensitivity. The provider performs 92651 — measurement of response to nonspecific frequency sound stimuli (pure tone audiometry) — in a sound-treated booth, documents test parameters, and provides an interpretation and written report. The workflow includes check-in and history review, otoscopic ear inspection, earphone placement and calibration verification, administration of air conduction and, if appropriate, bone conduction pure-tone testing across frequencies, recording thresholds, interpreting configuration and degree of hearing loss, and communicating results to the referring clinician. The completed report is retained in the medical record and transmitted to the referring physician for management planning.

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when billing only the professional interpretation and report by the physician or audiologist separate from technical performance.
`TC`	Technical component	Use when billing only the technical component (equipment, technician) without the professional interpretation.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when `92651` is performed on the same day as an unrelated ear procedure requiring separate reporting.
`76`	Repeat procedure by same provider	Use when the test is repeated later the same day by the same provider (note: `76` is not in the provided list; do not use).
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the full protocol is not completed and reduced testing was performed due to patient limitations.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when testing is started but discontinued because the patient could not complete the test.
`22`	Increased procedural service	Use when additional work beyond the usual is required, documented justification for unusual effort.
`51`	Multiple procedures	Use when multiple CPT codes are reported the same day and payer requires multiple-procedure reduction.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when another service on the same day is unrelated and must be reported separately.
`76`	Repeat procedure by same provider	Use when testing is repeated later the same day by the same provider (note: duplicate of above and not in list).

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
261Q00000X	Audiologist	Audiologists commonly perform and interpret `92651` in outpatient settings.
207RJ0000X	Otolaryngology	Otolaryngologists order, interpret, and manage treatment based on audiometric results.
203L00000X	Physician, Other/General Practice	Primary care physicians refer patients for audiometric assessment and receive reports.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`H90.3`	Sensorineural hearing loss, bilateral	Sensorineural hearing loss is commonly assessed with pure tone audiometry such as `92651` to quantify thresholds and configuration.
`H90.5`	Unspecified hearing loss, bilateral	Used when audiometric testing documents hearing impairment but precise classification awaits full evaluation.
`H91.11`	Tinnitus, right ear	Tinnitus often accompanies hearing complaints prompting threshold testing with `92651`.
`H91.12`	Tinnitus, left ear	As above, unilateral tinnitus leads to audiometric assessment.
`H90.41`	Sensorineural hearing loss, right ear, mild	Specific laterality and degree of hearing loss are determined by pure-tone threshold measurements.
`H90.42`	Sensorineural hearing loss, left ear, mild	As above for the left ear.
`H92.09`	Otalgia, unspecified ear	Ear pain or sensation changes may prompt diagnostic evaluation including pure tone audiometry.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`92557`	Comprehensive audiometry threshold evaluation including pure tone air and bone conduction, speech audiometry, and speech recognition	Often performed as a complete diagnostic battery that may encompass or follow `92651` to assess speech thresholds and word recognition.
`92567`	Tympanometry and reflex threshold measurements	Performed alongside pure tone testing to assess middle ear function prior to or following `92651`.
`92590`	Hearing aid examination and selection; monaural	May follow diagnostic audiometry when `92651` identifies a hearing loss that warrants amplification.
`92630`	Auditory evoked potentials for evoked response; auditory brainstem response (ABR)	Performed when further physiologic assessment is needed beyond behavioral thresholds obtained with `92651`.
`92652`	Pure tone audiometry (threshold) for hearing aid use, monaural	Closely related procedure when audiometry is done specifically for hearing aid fitting and validation after diagnostic testing.

CPT 92640: Auditory Brainstem Implant Programming and Analysis

CPT-92642-ASSISTIVE-HEARING-TECHNOLOGY-FITTING

CPT 92642: Fitting of Assistive Hearing Technology

CPT-92652-AUDIOLOGIC-THRESHOLD-ESTIMATION-MULTI-FREQUENCY

CPT 92652: Audiologic Threshold Estimation at Multiple Frequencies

CPT-92653-AUDITORY-EVOKED-RESPONSE-NEUROLOGIC-EVALUATION

CPT 92653: Auditory Evoked Response for Neurologic Evaluation

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

Trek Health ingests and normalizes Transparency in Coverage data and payer policy updates to give provider organizations a clear view of how commercial reimbursement behaves across markets, payers, and services. Our platform transforms raw payer disclosures into structured intelligence that supports contract evaluation, payer negotiations, and service line strategy. By combining market benchmarks with ongoing policy visibility, Trek helps teams identify variability, risk, and opportunity in commercial reimbursement. The result is faster insight, stronger negotiating positions, and more informed financial decisions.

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Modifier	Description	When to Use
`26`	Professional component	Use when billing only the professional interpretation and report by the physician or audiologist separate from technical performance.
`TC`	Technical component	Use when billing only the technical component (equipment, technician) without the professional interpretation.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when `92651` is performed on the same day as an unrelated ear procedure requiring separate reporting.
`76`	Repeat procedure by same provider	Use when the test is repeated later the same day by the same provider (note: `76` is not in the provided list; do not use).
`52`	Reduced services	Use when the full protocol is not completed and reduced testing was performed due to patient limitations.
`53`	Discontinued procedure	Use when testing is started but discontinued because the patient could not complete the test.
`22`	Increased procedural service	Use when additional work beyond the usual is required, documented justification for unusual effort.
`51`	Multiple procedures	Use when multiple CPT codes are reported the same day and payer requires multiple-procedure reduction.
`59`	Distinct procedural service	Use when another service on the same day is unrelated and must be reported separately.
`76`	Repeat procedure by same provider	Use when testing is repeated later the same day by the same provider (note: duplicate of above and not in list).

Taxonomy Code	Specialty	Notes
261Q00000X	Audiologist	Audiologists commonly perform and interpret `92651` in outpatient settings.
207RJ0000X	Otolaryngology	Otolaryngologists order, interpret, and manage treatment based on audiometric results.
203L00000X	Physician, Other/General Practice	Primary care physicians refer patients for audiometric assessment and receive reports.

Related Diagnoses

ICD-10 Code	Description	Clinical Relevance
`H90.3`	Sensorineural hearing loss, bilateral	Sensorineural hearing loss is commonly assessed with pure tone audiometry such as `92651` to quantify thresholds and configuration.
`H90.5`	Unspecified hearing loss, bilateral	Used when audiometric testing documents hearing impairment but precise classification awaits full evaluation.
`H91.11`	Tinnitus, right ear	Tinnitus often accompanies hearing complaints prompting threshold testing with `92651`.
`H91.12`	Tinnitus, left ear	As above, unilateral tinnitus leads to audiometric assessment.
`H90.41`	Sensorineural hearing loss, right ear, mild	Specific laterality and degree of hearing loss are determined by pure-tone threshold measurements.
`H90.42`	Sensorineural hearing loss, left ear, mild	As above for the left ear.
`H92.09`	Otalgia, unspecified ear	Ear pain or sensation changes may prompt diagnostic evaluation including pure tone audiometry.

Related CPT Codes

CPT Code	Description	Relationship to This Procedure
`92557`	Comprehensive audiometry threshold evaluation including pure tone air and bone conduction, speech audiometry, and speech recognition	Often performed as a complete diagnostic battery that may encompass or follow `92651` to assess speech thresholds and word recognition.
`92567`	Tympanometry and reflex threshold measurements	Performed alongside pure tone testing to assess middle ear function prior to or following `92651`.
`92590`	Hearing aid examination and selection; monaural	May follow diagnostic audiometry when `92651` identifies a hearing loss that warrants amplification.
`92630`	Auditory evoked potentials for evoked response; auditory brainstem response (ABR)	Performed when further physiologic assessment is needed beyond behavioral thresholds obtained with `92651`.
`92652`	Pure tone audiometry (threshold) for hearing aid use, monaural	Closely related procedure when audiometry is done specifically for hearing aid fitting and validation after diagnostic testing.

CPT 92640: Auditory Brainstem Implant Programming and Analysis

CPT-92642-ASSISTIVE-HEARING-TECHNOLOGY-FITTING

CPT 92642: Fitting of Assistive Hearing Technology

CPT-92652-AUDIOLOGIC-THRESHOLD-ESTIMATION-MULTI-FREQUENCY

CPT 92652: Audiologic Threshold Estimation at Multiple Frequencies

CPT-92653-AUDITORY-EVOKED-RESPONSE-NEUROLOGIC-EVALUATION

CPT 92653: Auditory Evoked Response for Neurologic Evaluation

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1.CPT® Codes and Descriptions. AAPC. Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
2.HCPCS Quarterly Update. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.
3.ICD-10-CM Full Code List. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Retrieved Jul 29, 2026.

Published by

Trek Health powers OpenPayer with a leading commercial payer intelligence platform, seamlessly converting fragmented payer data into actionable insights for provider organizations.

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CPT 92651: Auditory Response Test for Hearing Assessment

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Billing Code Overview

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CPT 92651: Auditory Response Test for Hearing Assessment

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Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

References

CPT 92651: Auditory Response Test for Hearing Assessment

Sign up for cpt 92651 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

CPT 92651: Auditory Response Test for Hearing Assessment

Sign up for cpt 92651 policy alerts

Billing Code Overview

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What does CPT 92651 represent and where is it typically performed?

Which billing modifiers are commonly used with 92651 and when should they be applied?

Which CPT codes are commonly performed alongside or after 92651?

What ICD-10 diagnosis codes are typically associated with 92651 testing?

Which provider specialties and taxonomy codes are associated with performing or ordering 92651?

References

Clinical & Coding Specifications

Clinical Context

Coding Specifications

Related Diagnoses

Related CPT Codes

Related Codes

What does CPT 92651 represent and where is it typically performed?

Which billing modifiers are commonly used with 92651 and when should they be applied?

Which CPT codes are commonly performed alongside or after 92651?

What ICD-10 diagnosis codes are typically associated with 92651 testing?

Which provider specialties and taxonomy codes are associated with performing or ordering 92651?

References