Presented herein are trans-modiolar stimulation techniques in which stimulation current is sourced (delivered) by at least one intra-cochlear stimulating contact and is sunk at a group of other intra-cochlear stimulating contacts. The group of other intra-cochlear stimulating contacts is positioned (located) across a section of the recipient's modiolus from the intra-cochlear stimulating contact that sources the stimulation. As such, stimulation current generally passes through the modiolus to stimulate spiral ganglion cells and evoke a hearing percept.