A cochlear implant includes an active base section with a front surface configured to lie against an inner modiolar wall of the scala tympani. Electrode contacts are on the front surface configured to face the inner modiolar wall to deliver electrode stimulation signals to nearby modiolar neural tissue. A passive apex section has a front surface without electrode contacts configured to lie against an outer lateral wall of the scala tympani. A U-shape transition bend section is at an apical end of the active base section bending in a reverse direction and transitioning into a basal end of the passive apex section such that the back surface of an apical tip of the passive apex section lies adjacent to a back surface of a basal end of the active base section at an electrode opening in the cochlea when the electrode is implanted in the patient.