A stapedius muscle recording electrode arrangement is described having one or more wire electrodes with an inner conducting wire covered by an outer layer of electrical insulation. There is an electrode opening in the electrical insulation that exposes underlying conducting wire. A curved needle has a tip configured for insertion into stapedius muscle tissue, and a base end coupled to the at least one wire electrode. The wire electrode and the needle are configured for insertion of the curved needle through the stapedius muscle tissue or between the stapedius muscle surface and the inner bony surface of the pyramidal eminence to embed the wire electrode in the stapedius muscle tissue or between the stapedius muscle surface and the inner bony surface of the pyramidal eminence for electrical interaction of the conducting wire at the electrode opening with the stapedius muscle tissue.