A sound processor apparatus configured to be located external to a patient and to be included in an auditory prosthesis system, the sound processor apparatus comprising: an interface assembly that includes a plurality of contacts (1 - 8) and that is configured to facilitate interchangeable connectivity of a plurality of external components (502, 602, 604, 702, 802, 902, 1002) to the sound processor apparatus; and a control module communicatively coupled to the plurality of contacts and that is configured to interact with each of the external components by overloading each contact included in the plurality of contacts with a plurality of functions, wherein: the plurality of external components includes a battery module (602, 604) and a programming system; the plurality of contacts includes at least a first contact, a second contact and a third contact; the control module is configured to overload the first and second contacts by using the first and second contacts to identify a battery type associated with the battery module while the battery module is connected to the interface assembly, and using the first and second contacts to communicate with the programming system in accordance with a differential signaling heuristic while the programming system is connected to the interface assembly, and the control module is configured to overload the third contact by using the third contact to identify a battery model associated with the battery module while the battery module is connected to the interface assembly, and using the third contact as an auxiliary audio input port while the programming system is connected to the interface assembly. an interface assembly that includes a plurality of contacts (1 - 8) and that is configured to facilitate interchangeable connectivity of a plurality of external components (502, 602, 604, 702, 802, 902, 1002) to the sound processor apparatus; and a control module communicatively coupled to the plurality of contacts and that is configured to interact with each of the external components by overloading each contact included in the plurality of contacts with a plurality of functions, wherein: the plurality of external components includes a battery module (602, 604) and a programming system; the plurality of contacts includes at least a first contact, a second contact and a third contact; the control module is configured to overload the first and second contacts by using the first and second contacts to identify a battery type associated with the battery module while the battery module is connected to the interface assembly, and using the first and second contacts to communicate with the programming system in accordance with a differential signaling heuristic while the programming system is connected to the interface assembly, and the control module is configured to overload the third contact by using the third contact to identify a battery model associated with the battery module while the battery module is connected to the interface assembly, and using the third contact as an auxiliary audio input port while the programming system is connected to the interface assembly. the plurality of external components includes a battery module (602, 604) and a programming system; the plurality of contacts includes at least a first contact, a second contact and a third contact; the control module is configured to overload the first and second contacts by using the first and second contacts to identify a battery type associated with the battery module while the battery module is connected to the interface assembly, and using the first and second contacts to communicate with the programming system in accordance with a differential signaling heuristic while the programming system is connected to the interface assembly, and using the first and second contacts to identify a battery type associated with the battery module while the battery module is connected to the interface assembly, and using the first and second contacts to communicate with the programming system in accordance with a differential signaling heuristic while the programming system is connected to the interface assembly, and the control module is configured to overload the third contact by using the third contact to identify a battery model associated with the battery module while the battery module is connected to the interface assembly, and using the third contact as an auxiliary audio input port while the programming system is connected to the interface assembly. using the third contact to identify a battery model associated with the battery module while the battery module is connected to the interface assembly, and using the third contact as an auxiliary audio input port while the programming system is connected to the interface assembly.