Cochlear & retinal implants

Cochlear implants can provide a sense of hearing to people with profound hearing loss. A speech processor worn behind the ear converts sound into electrical signals. These signals are transmitted through a platinum electrode array connected to the auditory nerve in the cochlea, allowing the brain to interpret them as sound.

Platinum and iridium are particularly well suited to implant electrodes because of their electrical conductivity, durability, biocompatibility and resistance to corrosion.