We have developed a noninvasive technique for extratympanic stimulation of the auditory nerve. 119 ears of 76 subjects with either normal, residual or no hearing were tested. 73 % of the subjects with experience of hearing reported definite auditory sensations. Subjects with no certain experience of hearing could not describe accurately the nature of their sensations. Electrical stimulation of normal ears failed to elicit auditory sensations. These results compare well with those of promontory stimulation in cochlear implant candidates.