An implant electrode for a cochlear implant system includes a basal electrode lead passing from an implant housing to a mastoid cortex surface for carrying one or more electrical stimulation signals from the implant housing. An apical electrode array fits through a cochleostomy opening into a cochlea scala and has multiple electrode contacts for applying the electrical stimulation signals to target neural tissue. A middle electrode section passes through the mastoid cortex and the middle ear to the cochleostomy opening for connecting the electrode lead and the electrode array.
