An electrode assembly (30, 130, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630) for delivering electrical stimulation to a vestibular system of a user or monitoring a physiological parameter of the user. The apparatus includes a body member (40, 140, 240, 340, 540, 640) comprising an electrode support portion (44, 144, 244, 344, 544, 644) and a curved portion (46, 146, 246, 346, 546, 646)extending from the electrode support portion, and an electrode (42, 142, 242, 342, 442, 542, 642) coupled to the electrode support portion. A method of using such an apparatus is also disclosed. The present invention also provides an electrode assembly that includes a body member, an electrode coupled to the body member, a hydrogel element disposed on at least a portion of the electrode. In one embodiment, the hydrogel element includes a hydrogel material and a insulating material disposed on or in the hydrogel material such that the insulating layer disperses energy transmitted by the electrode through the hydrogel material.
