An intrasurgical electrode guide device for inserting an electrode array of a cochlear implant into a scala tympany of a patient cochlea, the device comprising: an electrode guide tube having a cavity, a proximal end and a distal end connected by a partially enclosed groove having a slot opening along one side to allow loading and/or unloading of the electrode array into the guide tube so that the electrode array can slide within the groove to project a distal end of the electrode array beyond the distal end of the guide tube; and an end positioner at least partially contained within the cavity of the guide tube at the distal end and slidable within the cavity for adjustable extension beyond the distal end, wherein the end positioner comprises a curved section characterized by a natural curvature that is constrained by the guide tube for any portion of the curved section of the end positioner contained within the cavity of the guide tube, wherein any portion of the curved section of the end positioner extended from the cavity beyond the distal end of said guide tube follows the natural curvature, and wherein the guide tube and the end positioner are configured for controlled cooperation by a surgeon so that the electrode array can be introduced through the groove of the guide tube along a first directional line towards an electrode opening in an outer surface of the patient cochlea, and then the distal end of the electrode array emerging from the guide tube at the distal end is redirected along a different second directional line through the electrode opening into the scala tympany by the portion of the curved section of the end positioner extending from the cavity beyond said distal end. an electrode guide tube having a cavity, a proximal end and a distal end connected by a partially enclosed groove having a slot opening along one side to allow loading and/or unloading of the electrode array into the guide tube so that the electrode array can slide within the groove to project a distal end of the electrode array beyond the distal end of the guide tube; and an end positioner at least partially contained within the cavity of the guide tube at the distal end and slidable within the cavity for adjustable extension beyond the distal end, wherein the end positioner comprises a curved section characterized by a natural curvature that is constrained by the guide tube for any portion of the curved section of the end positioner contained within the cavity of the guide tube, wherein any portion of the curved section of the end positioner extended from the cavity beyond the distal end of said guide tube follows the natural curvature, and wherein the guide tube and the end positioner are configured for controlled cooperation by a surgeon so that the electrode array can be introduced through the groove of the guide tube along a first directional line towards an electrode opening in an outer surface of the patient cochlea, and then the distal end of the electrode array emerging from the guide tube at the distal end is redirected along a different second directional line through the electrode opening into the scala tympany by the portion of the curved section of the end positioner extending from the cavity beyond said distal end.