An electrode for an implantable prosthesis, the electrode comprising: a flexible front end including one or more metal contacts； and a back end including one or more metal contacts, wherein the electrode has a cross-sectional shape along the electrode, and the cross-sectional shape has a discontinuity between the flexible front end and the back end, wherein the cross-sectional shape does not have a substantially constant diameter and does not have a continuously growing diameter, and the cross-sectional shape of the flexible front end is substantially smaller than the cross-sectional shape of the back end such that forces required to bend the flexible front end are less than forces required to bend the back end ； is disclosed.
