Inductive signal and energy transfer through the external auditory canal

An inductive coil arrangement for an ear canal of a recipient patient, the ear canal having an outer wall defining a generally cylindrical shape around a central ear canal axis, the inductive coil arrangement comprising:

• an inner transmitter coil for insertion into the ear canal, the transmitter coil having a plurality of transmission wire loops having a radial loop center, wherein the transmission wire loops and their radial loop center lie along a curve around the central ear canal axis conformal to the outer wall of the ear canal for transmitting a communication signal through the skin of the outer wall of the ear canal;
• and
• an outer receiver coil for implantation under the skin of the outer wall of the ear canal, the receiver coil having a plurality of receiver wire loops having a radial loop center, wherein the receiver wire loops and their radial loop center lie along a curve around the central ear canal axis substantially parallel to the transmitter coil for receiving the communication signal from the transmitter coil.