Operating CV1 with headstrap removed.

I'm looking to remove the headstrap from the CV1 (I'll be working with a group of clinical patients where wearing the headstrap is not possible. I know from the iFixit tear-down that there is a ribbon cable running through the strap, connecting to the headphones (which will not be used), and the IR LEDs on the back of the device (which also will not be used). I would like to know if the CV1 will run with this ribbon cable removed, or if it's possible to detach it from the strap and reroute it somehow?

Any thoughts?