A bionic cochlea includes a fluid filled vessel having a flexible window disposed in one of its walls. The flexible window flexes when exposed to an acoustic pulse to produce an acoustic pressure pulse in the fluid inside the vessel. A plurality of piezoelectric nanowires is disposed within the fluid filled vessel. The piezoelectric nanowires vibrate in response to acoustic pressure pulses transmitting through the fluid and produce electrical signals. Electrical wires in communication with the piezoelectric nanowires receive the produced electrical signals and pass these signals to the mammalian auditory nerve.
