Abstract: An electrode for implantation into the cochlea. The purpose is to establish electrical communication to the acoustic nerves of the human ear, substantially in the area of the cochlea containing the acoustic nerves pertaining to that part of the audible spectrum, which is relevant to the intelligibility of speech. The problem is, that an electrode inserted into the cochlea certainly has made it possible to bring the patient in such a condition that she or he could interpret electrical signals supplied through the electrode as being sound but not as being intelligible speech.The invention provides an electrode, which has two conditions of curvature, the one of which is temporary and corresponds to the curvature in the middle of the particular turn of the cochlea and the other one of which is permanent and corresponds to the first position of the electrode in the cochlea in which position it obtains an optimum contact to the acoustic nerves.

Abstract: An electrode in the form of a foil-like flexible, electrically insulating support member having nerve electrodes supported thereupon for implantation into the cochlea. The electrode establishes electrical communication to the acoustic nerves of the human ear, substantially in the area of the cochlea containing the auditory nerves pertaining to that part of the audible spectrum, which is relevant to the intelligibility of speech. The electrode is provided with two prongs and a shank, each prong having a length which corresponds to the length of the turn in the cochlea into which it is to be inserted during implantation and hence the two prongs are of different lengths. Further, each prong terminates in a bevelled pilot guiding member which guides each prong through its respective turn in the cochlea to thereby reduce damage to the auditory nerves.