Patent ID: 8270647

Claim:
A cochlear implant system, comprising: an electrode array implanted within a cochlea; an internal processor in communication with said electrode array; an implanted antenna, said implanted antenna being electrically coupled to said internal processor; and a modular external headpiece, said modular external headpiece being configured as a stand alone, head-mounted unit which provides external functionality for operation of said cochlear implant system, said modular external headpiece being removably positioned over said implanted antenna by magnetic attraction with said implanted antenna such that a portion of skin is sandwiched between said implanted antenna and said modular external headpiece, said modular external headpiece including a core containing a sound processor for processing sound and providing a corresponding signal to said implanted antenna, and including a top surface and a bottom surface, and a detachable modular component configured to releasably engage said core such that at least a portion of the bottom surface is not covered by the modular component and to supply electrical power to said core.