Method and device for providing stimulation to a cochlea

Abstract

A cochlear implant includes an electrode array having a plurality of electrode contacts arranged along at least a portion of a length of an electrode array, and a processing arrangement configured to map at least one electrode contact to first and/or second mappings. The first mapping provides a first electrical stimulation from the electrode contact to a first ground electrode positioned external to a patient’s cochlea to stimulate hearing at a first location in the cochlea positioned adjacent to the electrode contact when the implant is inserted into the cochlea. The second mapping provides a second electrical stimulation from the electrode contact to the second ground electrode to stimulate hearing at a location in the cochlea positioned further towards the apex of the cochlea as compared to a distal end of the electrode array when the implant is inserted into the cochlea.

1 . A cochlear implant, comprising:
 a first ground electrode configured to be positioned external to a cochlea of a patient;   a second ground electrode configured to be positioned in or adjacent to an apex of a cochlea of a patient;   a flexible electrode array having a distal end and a proximal end defining a length therebetween, the electrode array comprising a plurality of electrode contacts arranged along at least a portion of the length of the electrode array, wherein the electrode array is configured to be inserted into the cochlea such that the distal end of the electrode array advances from a base of the cochlea towards the apex of the cochlea; and   a processing arrangement configured to map at least one electrode contact to a first mapping for providing a first electrical stimulation from the electrode contact to the first ground electrode to stimulate hearing of the patient at a first location in the cochlea, and a second mapping for providing a second electrical stimulation from the electrode contact to the second ground electrode to stimulate hearing of the patient at a second location in the cochlea, 
 wherein the first location in the cochlea is positioned adjacent to the electrode contact when the implant is inserted into the cochlea in an operating position, and the second location in the cochlea is positioned further towards the apex of the cochlea as compared to the distal end of the electrode array when the implant is in the operating position. 
     
     
         2 - 20 . (canceled)