Blade electrode array for insertion under soft tissue of lateral wall of cochlea

An electrode array comprising a flexible carrier and a plurality of spaced-apart electrode contacts carried along one side of the flexible carrier, each electrode contact having at least one wire connected thereto through which electrical connection may be made, the electrode array comprising a blade electrode array having side fins on opposing sides thereof, wherein the side fins and flexible carrier define a width (L5) and a thickness (L6) wherein the width is greater than the thickness;

• and wherein the electrode array is adapted to be inserted into the inner ear of a patient so as to lie between the spiral ligament membrane and the cochlear bony tissue located along the lateral side of the cochlea.

A method for stimulating nerves and cells of the inner ear without interfering with the normal operation of the inner ear, thereby allowing the selective activation of said electrode array to supplement the normal hearing processes that occur within the inner ear, or to treat other symptoms, such as tinnitus, the method comprising

• inserting an electrode array into the inner ear between a spiral ligament membrane and cochlear bony tissue without penetrating into the scala tympani or scala vestibuli of the cochlea, said electrode array having a plurality of spaced-apart electrode contacts thereon;
• and
• selectively electrically activating the electrode contacts.