Magnetic stimulation of auditory neurons-a new cochlear implant system

A technique of realizing cochlear implants using a magnetic stimulation protocol is proposed. This system makes use of an array of coils fabricated in a spiral fashion placed on the cochlea. The stimulus entering the ear is converted to a rate varying pulse train using a signal processor. These pulses are transmitted to implanted coils using an RF link. These in turn, set up a rate varying magnetic field inside the cochlea which stimulates the underlying auditory neurons