An electrode assembly for delivering electrical stimulation to a vestibular system of a user or monitoring a physiological parameter of the user. The apparatus includes a body member comprising an electrode support portion and a curved portion extending from the electrode support portion, and an electrode coupled to the electrode support portion. A method of using such an apparatus is also disclosed. The present invention also provides an electrode assembly that includes a body member, an electrode coupled to the body member, a hydrogel element disposed on at least a portion of the electrode. In one embodiment, the hydrogel element includes a hydrogel material and a insulating material disposed on or in the hydrogel material such that the insulating layer disperses energy transmitted by the electrode through the hydrogel material.
