Abstract: An audio device is provided, such as a receiver-in-canal hearing aid, which includes an in-the-ear component, a behind-the-ear component, and a cable connecting the in-the-ear component and the behind-the-ear component. The cable includes a reinforcing backbone having a bulbous end portion anchored to one of the in-the-ear component and the behind-the-ear component. The bulbous end portion includes fibers that have been splayed apart which provides larger surface area for adhesively bonding the bulbous end portion to the in-the ear component or the behind-the-ear component. In one form, the reinforcing backbone includes ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.