Stimulation of areas near the IC, particularly the superior colliculus and peri-aqueductal gray, can be used to treat various neurological disorders.

The IC is a unique choice for the treatment of tinnitus and other disorders because an electrode placed in that region enables minimal invasiveness.

Leaving this relay, a third neuron carries the mesage up to the level of the mesencephalus (superior colliculus).

Some of these axons terminate in the nuclei of the lateral lemniscus, while others continue to the midbrain to terminate in the inferior colliculus.

Some fibers have a relay point in the nuclei of the lateral lemniscus, whereas others project directly to neurons in the inferior colliculus.

The brainstem evoked potentials (BAEPs), which have a short latency (<10 ms), are currently used clinically to test the auditory pathway up to the level of the inferior colliculus.

The ascending projections from the SOC pass along the lateral lemniscus (C) and arrive at the external nucleus of the inferior colliculus (A and B).

In some embodiments, the invention comprises an auditory prosthesis system comprising a microphone, a sound processor, a current stimulator, and one or more stimulating electrodes disposed in the inferior colliculus of a mammal.

These nuclei each have a specific role: the cochlear nucleus, the superior olivary complex, the lateral lemniscus and the inferior colliculus.

2. reduce the asymmetry in hearing, the cause of plastic changes in the auditory centres (inferior colliculus, auditory cortex), which fundamental studies have demonstrated are reversible.

2. reduce the asymmetry in hearing which is the cause of plastic changes in the auditory centres (inferior colliculus, auditory cortex), which fundamental studies have demonstrated are reversible.

Finally, the SOC vital to localising a sound source, but it shares this function with other structures (notably the inferior colliculus) and will be the subject of a dedicated page.