Patent ID: 7647120

Claim:
An implantable stimulation system, comprising: an implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) having a pulse generator that generates electrical stimulation pulses as defined by control signals, a first lead having a plurality of electrodes thereon adapted to be inserted into a patient's cochlea, wherein electrical stimulation pulses are provided to the patient's auditory nerve as defined by the control signals; at least one microphone configured to sense and provide audio information; at least one motion sensor configured to sense and provide motion information; and a speech and motion processor (SMP) configured to generate the control signals in response to the audio and motion information provided by the at least one microphone and the at least one motion sensor, and to provide the control signals to the ICS, wherein the SMP further includes a second lead having at least one electrode thereon adapted to be inserted into the patient's semicircular canals or vestibule, or otherwise in proximity to the patient's vestibular nerve or its terminal branches, wherein electrical stimulation pulses are selectively provided to the vestibular nerve as defined by the control signals; wherein the SMP is dividable into a speech processing portion and a motion sensing portion, and wherein the speech processing portion of the SMP comprises an external portion, and wherein the motion sensing portion comprises an implantable portion, and further wherein the at least one motion sensor comprises an implantable motion sensor that is attached to the implantable portion of the SMP.