Patent ID: 8923541

Claim:
A system comprising: an off-the-ear headpiece module configured to be affixed to a head of a patient and comprising a primary sound processor that generates stimulation parameters used to direct an auditory prosthesis implanted within the patient to apply electrical stimulation representative of one or more audio signals to the patient; and a battery that provides operating power to the primary sound processor; and a sound processor module separate from the headpiece module and that does not include a separate battery and that is configured to be selectively and communicatively coupled to the headpiece module, the sound processor module comprising a secondary sound processor that contributes to the generation of one or more stimulation parameters included in the stimulation parameters while the sound processor module is communicatively coupled to the headpiece module; wherein the primary sound processor generates the stimulation parameters independent of the secondary sound processor while the sound processor module is not communicatively coupled to the headpiece module, and provides, while the sound processor module is communicatively coupled to the headpiece module, operating power to the secondary sound processor from the battery included in the headpiece module.