According to an embodiment, an auditory device for generating an electrode stimulation signal is disclosed. The device includes a filter bank configured to filter an incoming audio signal into a plurality of band pass limited audio signals, each band pass limited audio signal relating to an audio frequency band. The device further includes a processor configured to extract an onset time for firing an electrode in accordance with rate of change of a band pass limited audio signal and/or a derived band pass limited audio signal satisfying a predetermined criterion, and a signal generator for generating the electrode stimulation signal for the electrode corresponding to the band pass limited audio signal and/or derived band pass limited audio signal in accordance with the determined onset time. The device includes a plurality of implantable stimulation electrodes configured to deliver the electrode stimulation signal to a region of cochlea.
