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A apparatus and method for inner ear implants is provided that
generates signal processing stochastic independence activity across
the excited neural population. A high rate pulse train can produce
random spike patterns in auditory nerve fibers (hereafter
"pseudospontaneous activity") that are statistically similar to
those produced by spontaneous activity in the normal auditory
nerve. We call this activity "pseudospontaneous". Varying rates of
pseudospontaneous activity can be created by varying the intensity
of a fixed amplitude, high rate pulse train stimulus, e.g., 5000
pps. The high rate pulse train can desynchronize the nerve fiber
population and can be combined with a data signal in an inner ear
implant. The pseudospontaneous activity can enhance neural
representation of temporal detail and dynamic range with an inner
ear implant such as a cochlear implant. The pseudospontaneous
activity can further eliminate a major difference between
acoustic-and electrical-derived hearing percepts.