An auditory prosthesis system including a sound processor apparatus configured to be located external to a patient and comprising: an interface assembly that includes at least a first contact and that facilitates interchangeable connectivity of a plurality of external components to the sound processor apparatus; a first switchable current source having an output coupled to the first contact of the interface assembly by way of a first data line; a differential transmitter having an output coupled to the first contact of the interface assembly by way of the first data line; and a differential receiver having an input coupled to the first contact of the interface assembly by way of the first data line; characterized by a control module communicatively coupled to the first switchable current source, the differential transmitter, and the differential receiver and configured to selectively operate in a component type detection mode and in a programming mode, wherein the control module is configured to, while operating in the component type detection mode, disable the differential transmitter and the differential receiver and use, while the differential transmitter and the differential receiver are disabled, the first switchable current source to identify a component type associated with an external component while the external component is connected to the interface assembly by way of the first contact, and wherein the control module is configured to, while operating in the programming mode, disable the first switchable current source and use, while the first switchable current source is disabled, the differential transmitter and the differential receiver to communicate with a programming system by way of the first contact while the programming system is connected to the interface assembly by way of the first contact. an interface assembly that includes at least a first contact and that facilitates interchangeable connectivity of a plurality of external components to the sound processor apparatus; a first switchable current source having an output coupled to the first contact of the interface assembly by way of a first data line; a differential transmitter having an output coupled to the first contact of the interface assembly by way of the first data line; and a differential receiver having an input coupled to the first contact of the interface assembly by way of the first data line; characterized by a control module communicatively coupled to the first switchable current source, the differential transmitter, and the differential receiver and configured to selectively operate in a component type detection mode and in a programming mode, wherein the control module is configured to, while operating in the component type detection mode, disable the differential transmitter and the differential receiver and use, while the differential transmitter and the differential receiver are disabled, the first switchable current source to identify a component type associated with an external component while the external component is connected to the interface assembly by way of the first contact, and wherein the control module is configured to, while operating in the programming mode, disable the first switchable current source and use, while the first switchable current source is disabled, the differential transmitter and the differential receiver to communicate with a programming system by way of the first contact while the programming system is connected to the interface assembly by way of the first contact. wherein the control module is configured to, while operating in the component type detection mode, disable the differential transmitter and the differential receiver and use, while the differential transmitter and the differential receiver are disabled, the first switchable current source to identify a component type associated with an external component while the external component is connected to the interface assembly by way of the first contact, and wherein the control module is configured to, while operating in the programming mode, disable the first switchable current source and use, while the first switchable current source is disabled, the differential transmitter and the differential receiver to communicate with a programming system by way of the first contact while the programming system is connected to the interface assembly by way of the first contact.