1. A cochlear electrode array suitable for cochlear stimulation comprising: a polymer base layer; patterned high density metal traces deposited on said polymer base layer; electrodes deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces; a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said electrodes and said metal traces; wherein said polymer top layer defines openings smaller than said electrodes to overlap said electrodes; and wherein said array is curved into a helical shape to approximate the shape of the cochlea.