Method and device for providing stimulation to a cochlea

A method for electrically stimulating a cochlea of a hearing-impaired patient, comprising:

• decomposing an audio input signal into a plurality of frequency channels, wherein a first one of the frequency channels correspond to a first range of frequencies and a second one of the frequency channels correspond to a second range of frequencies;
• and
• controlling generation of a first electrical stimulation from an electrode contact inserted into the cochlea of the patient to a first ground electrode positioned external to the cochlea to stimulate hearing of the patient within the first frequency channel, and of a second electrical stimulation from the electrode contact to the second ground electrode to stimulate the hearing of the patient within the second frequency channel,
• wherein the first frequency channel is stimulated at a first portion in the cochlea positioned adjacent to the first electrode contact, and the second frequency channel is stimulated at a second portion in the cochlea located further towards the apex of the cochlea as compared to the electrode contact.

A method for electrically stimulating a cochlea of a hearing-impaired patient, comprising:

• inserting an electrode array having a distal end and a proximal end defining a length therebetween into the cochlea of the patient such that the distal end of the electrode array is advanced from a base of the cochlea towards the apex of the cochlea, wherein the electrode array comprising a plurality of electrode contacts arranged along at least a portion of the length of the electrode array;
• positioning a first ground electrode external to the cochlea and a second ground electrode at or adjacent to an apex of a cochlea of a patient;
• decomposing an audio input signal into a plurality of frequency channels, wherein a first one of the frequency channels correspond to a first range of frequencies and a second one of the frequency channels correspond to a second range of frequencies;
• and
• generating a first electrical stimulation from a first one of the electrode contacts to the first ground electrode to stimulate hearing of the patient within the first frequency channel, and a second electrical stimulation from the first one or a second one of the electrode contacts to the second ground electrode to stimulate the hearing of the patient within the second frequency channel,
• wherein the first frequency channel is stimulated at a first portion in the cochlea positioned adjacent to the first electrode contact, and the second frequency channel is stimulated at a second portion in the cochlea located further towards the apex of the cochlea as compared to the distal end of the electrode array.