Abstract: A system is described for stimulating a nerve or a muscle fibre of a living body including a hearing nerve in the cochlea. The system includes an implant and an electrode for stimulating the nerve or the fibre, which electrode is connected to the implant. To supply electrical power to the implant, a small transformer is used, of which one coil is implanted into the body and the other is outside the body but in the vicinity of the implanted coil. Where the system is used to enhance hearing, the implanted coil is selectively positioned around the auditory duct and the outer coil is inserted into the duct, so that both coils are substantially coaxial. For supplying information to the implant, infrared transmission through the skin is used, wherein the transmitter is provided adjacent to the skin and the receiver on the outside of the body.