Combination implant system with removable earplug sensor and implanted battery

A cochlear implant system comprising:

• an implantable subsystem comprising:
• a cochlear electrode;
• a stimulator in electrical communication with the cochlear electrode;
• a rechargeable energy storage device in electrical communication with the stimulator;
• a first near field communication interface in electrical communication with the rechargeable energy storage device and configured to be implanted subcutaneously proximate an ear canal;
• and
• a removable earplug configured to be inserted into the ear canal and comprising:
• a sensor configured to sense auditory signals and generate an input signal representative of the sensed auditory signals;
• a second near field communication interface;
• and
• a signal processor in electrical communication with the sensor and the second near field communication interface, the signal processor configured to receive the input signal from the sensor and generate a stimulation signal based on the received input signal;
• wherein
• when the removable earplug is inserted into the ear canal, the first near field communication interface and the second near field communication interface are positioned proximate each other:
• a communication link is established between the first near field communication interface and the second near field communication interface;
• the rechargeable energy storage device provides electrical power to the removable earplug via the communication link;
• and
• the signal processor is configured to communicate the stimulation signal to the implantable subsystem via the communication link.