A device for implantation into a scalia tympani of a cochlea is disclosed. The device comprises blocks and compliant elements interconnecting the blocks with one of the compliant elements disposed between each pair of adjacent blocks. The compliant elements impart flexibility to the device in a plane of curvature of the cochlea and impart stiffness to the device out of the plane of curvature of the cochlea. The device further comprises piezoelectric elements with at least one of the elements disposed the blocks. Each piezoelectric element comprises at least one piezoelectric sensing unit and at least one electrode for transmitting the electrical signal to the auditory nerve. The device further comprises communication lines for transmitting an electrical signal through the device with one of the communication lines disposed between each pair of blocks and parallel to the compliant element.
