Pairing systems for pairing external devices to a cochlear implant system can comprise an external housing and an external pairing system. The external housing may comprise a first surface and one or more compartments, each configured to house an external device capable of wirelessly interfacing with an implantable cochlear implant system. The external pairing device may comprise a second surface and one or more corresponding near field communication devices. The near field communication devices may be arranged such that the first surface of the external housing can be aligned with the second surface of the external pairing device in such a way that each of the near field communication devices aligns with a corresponding compartment of the external housing. The external pairing device can provide communication between a programming device and external devices contained within compartments of the external housing via one or more corresponding near field communication devices.