AbstractSensorineural hearing loss results from the inability of the inner ear cochlear organ of Corti to transduce mechanical energy incident in the cochlea to electrical signals in auditory nerve fibers. Cochlear implant devices are used to alleviate this condition. Piezoelectric materials offer the unique scope of functioning as cochlear implants, possibly enabling simplification of the process of electrical stimulation and enhancing knowledge of the workings of both the healthy and artificially stimulated inner ear. The requirements imposed on such a device are discussed. It is believed that flexible piezoelectric PVDF and ceramic-polymer composites are best suited for this application. The design of a device which utilizes the bending piezoelectric mode, and results of testing the same in air are presented. Present work is aimed at understanding the fundamental dynamic piezoelectric properties in this mode and is expected to result in a device suitable forin vitroandin vivotesting.