Apparatus and method for triggering nerve-action potentials (NAPs) in each of a plurality of cochlear neurons in a cochlea of a person and in each one of a plurality of vestibular neurons in a vestibular organ of the person in order to provide auditory and balance sensations for the person, the method including generating a first plurality of light signals that stimulate a NAP in the selected cochlear neuron； delivering the first plurality of light signals to the selected cochlear neuron from within the cochlea； generating a second plurality of light signals that stimulate a NAP in the selected vestibular neuron； delivering the second plurality of light signals to the selected vestibular neuron from within the vestibular organ； and selectively controlling the first and second plurality of light signals to optically stimulate the selected cochlear and vestibular neuron in order to trigger NAPs of the selected cochlear and vestibular neuron.
