Abstract: A chalk port for retaining chalk within a chalk reservoir of a chalk box may include an interface portion configured to interface with a housing of the chalk box to retain the chalk port in contact with the chalk box, a tapered portion extending away from the interface portion in an axial direction, and a slit assembly disposed at the tapered portion. The tapered portion may have a diameter that reduces as distance from the interface portion increases. The tapered portion may include a plurality of projections separated from each other by slits of the slit assembly. The projections may have a rest position configured to bias the slit assembly closed. Ribs may be formed to extend between the interface portion and the projections to bias the projections to the rest position.

Abstract: A method operates a hearing instrument having an acousto-electric first input transducer and an electro-acoustic output transducer. A first input signal is generated by the first input transducer from an ambient sound. The first input signal and/or a first intermediate signal derived from the first input signal is resolved into a multiplicity of frequency bands. An output signal is generated from the first input signal, or from the first intermediate signal, by frequency-selective signal processing. A relevant subset of frequency bands is determined from the aforementioned multiplicity such that, in each frequency band of the relevant subset, an output sound generated from the output signal by the output transducer makes a contribution that lies above a predefined or desired threshold, further, with the aid of signal components of the first input signal, or of the first intermediate signal.

Abstract: A method for directional signal processing for a hearing system having at least a first hearing instrument. A first input signal is generated from an ambient sound by an electroacoustic first input transducer of the first hearing instrument, and a second input signal is generated by an electroacoustic second input transducer of the hearing system. A number of interlocutors of a wearer of the hearing system is determined on the basis of the first input signal and on the basis of the second input signal. At least a compression and/or a directional microphony and/or a noise suppression is/are modified in the processing of the first input signal and/or the second input signal depending on the determined number of interlocutors, and a first output signal is thereby generated.

Abstract: An end hook may include a stem portion extending in a first plane from a proximal end to a distal end and an engaging portion. The end hook may be operably coupled to the measuring device at the proximal end. The engaging portion may be defined by a set of teeth having external lateral edges that define a hook width therebetween. The engaging portion may extend away from the stem portion by an engaging length. Each of the teeth may include a portion thereof that extends away from the distal end of the stem portion in a second plane that is substantially perpendicular to the first plane. Each of the teeth may further include a portion thereof, proximate to a distal end of the teeth, that bends out of the second plane to form an engaging angle. The hook width may be in a range between about 16.5 mm and about 21 mm, and the engaging angle may be greater than about 45 degrees.

Abstract: A line lock assembly for locking a retraction assembly of a chalk box may include a line lock cover (250) operably coupled to a housing of the chalk box to form a line lock member enclosure, and a line lock member (260) disposed within the line lock member enclosure. The line lock member may be configured to move responsive to rotation of the line lock cover to alternately lock the retraction assembly and unlock the retraction assembly based on a position of the line lock cover.

Abstract: A method for directional signal processing for a binaural hearing system. In input transducers of first and second hearing instruments generate input signals from an ambient sound signal. A direction relative to a preferred direction and a distance from a reference point of the binaural hearing system are predetermined, to predetermine a focal point. First and second directional signals are generated from input signals by directional signal processing so that a direction of maximum sensitivity, starting from the first and second hearing instruments form respective a first and second yaw angles with the preferred direction. The yaw angles are adjusted via the directional signal processing of the input signals so that a superposition of the first and second directional signals has a maximum sensitivity in an overlap region that includes the predetermined focal point. An output signal of the binaural hearing system is generated based on the superposition.

Abstract: A hearing device includes at least one microphone configured to capture sound signals within an overall frequency range and to convert them into an input signal. A signal processor is provided for processing the input signal within a lower frequency range that is part of an overall frequency range. A detector is provided for detecting a noise that has frequency components both inside and outside the lower frequency range, namely in an upper frequency range above the lower frequency range. The hearing device is configured in such a way that the detector detects the noise based on its frequency component in the upper frequency range. A method for operating a hearing device is also provided.

Abstract: A method for directional signal processing for a binaural hearing system. In input transducers of first and second hearing instruments generate input signals from an ambient sound signal. A direction relative to a preferred direction and a distance from a reference point of the binaural hearing system are predetermined, to predetermine a focal point. First and second directional signals are generated from input signals by directional signal processing so that a direction of maximum sensitivity, starting from the first and second hearing instruments form respective a first and second yaw angles with the preferred direction. The yaw angles are adjusted via the directional signal processing of the input signals so that a superposition of the first and second directional signals has a maximum sensitivity in an overlap region that includes the predetermined focal point. An output signal of the binaural hearing system is generated based on the superposition.

Abstract: A method for operating a hearing device having an input transducer, a signal processing device and an output transducer includes using the input transducer to generate an input signal. The signal processing device has a quality checking unit used to take the input signal as a basis for determining a measure of a signal quality. The quality checking unit is configured for two operating modes, specifically a first operating mode and a second operating mode. The signal processing device has an own voice checking unit used to take the input signal as a basis for determining an activity of an own voice. The quality checking unit is operated in the first operating mode if no activity of an own voice is determined and in the second operating mode if an activity of the own voice is determined. A hearing device and a computer program product perform the method.

Abstract: A method for operating a binaural hearing system having first and second hearing instruments uses respective first and second input transducers to generate first and second input signals from an ambient sound. The first and second input signals are subjected to respective first and second low-latency analyses to determine at least one first and at least one second respective parameter of a signal processing. The first parameter is transmitted to the second hearing instrument and the second parameter is transmitted to the first hearing instrument. A synchronized parameter is determined in the first and second hearing instruments based on the first and second parameters. The synchronized parameter is applied in the first hearing instrument to signal components of the first input signal and in the second hearing instrument to signal components of the second input signal. A binaural hearing system is configured to carry out the method.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to auger tools and related methods for removing clogs in tubulars. In one or more embodiments, an auger tool includes a body with a semi-circular recess, an extendable cable stored in and rotatable with the body, a rotationally independent grip, and a crank assembly. The crank assembly also includes a crank arm and a crank handle. The crank arm is coupled by a pivotable coupling to a center of the body and configurable in a stowed position and a manually operational position. The crank handle is coupled to the crank arm. The crank arm is in the stowed position when the crank handle is disposed in the semi-circular recess of the body and the crank arm is in the manually operable position when the crank arm is pivoted 180 degrees from the stowed position and the crank handle extends axially from the body.

Abstract: A method operates a hearing instrument having an acousto-electric first input transducer and an electro-acoustic output transducer. A first input signal is generated by the first input transducer from an ambient sound. The first input signal and/or a first intermediate signal derived from the first input signal is resolved into a multiplicity of frequency bands. An output signal is generated from the first input signal, or from the first intermediate signal, by frequency-selective signal processing. A relevant subset of frequency bands is determined from the aforementioned multiplicity such that, in each frequency band of the relevant subset, an output sound generated from the output signal by the output transducer makes a contribution that lies above a predefined or desired threshold, further, with the aid of signal components of the first input signal, or of the first intermediate signal.

Abstract: A method for operating a hearing device, in particular a hearing aid, which has a wind noise canceller and a motion sensor, includes adjusting the wind noise canceller as a function of measurement data recorded by the motion sensor. A hearing device which is operated according to the method is also provided.

Abstract: A chalk box may include a housing having an aperture, a reel assembly enclosed within the housing, a string having a first end operably coupled to an end hook and configured to extend from the housing through the aperture and having a second end configured to be wound on the reel assembly, a chalk reservoir in which the string is retained or through which the string passes prior to extending out of the aperture, and a seating assembly configured to extend around at least fifty percent of the length or volume of the end hook when the string is fully withdrawn into the housing.

Abstract: A method for customizing a hearing apparatus includes carrying out at least one test measurement that involves audio and/or video material being played back and a hearing apparatus user assessing a sound signal being heard by the user as a test result. A hearing apparatus and a computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: A chalk box including a housing (110) having an aperture (140), a reel assembly (120) enclosed within the housing, a string (140) having a first end operably coupled to an end hook (170) and configured to extend from the housing through the aperture and having a second end configured to be wound on the reel assembly, a chalk reservoir (160) in which the string is retained or through which the string passes prior to extending out of the aperture, and a seating assembly (180) configured to extend around at least fifty percent of the length or volume of the end hook when the string is fully withdrawn into the housing.

Abstract: A method and a system for fitting or adapting or matching a hearing aid to a user is provided to achieve a high level of acceptance of the user for the hearing aid. In a first step, an interoceptive awareness of the user is established and in a second step, a fitting process for fitting the hearing aid is defined based on the established interoceptive awareness of the user.

Abstract: A hearing device has an input transducer, a signal processor for signal amplification and generation of an output signal, and an output transducer for converting the output signal into a sound signal. In a fitting method for fitting the hearing device, at least one test measurement is carried out in which a test signal is generated as an acoustic signal, and in which the hearing device user assesses the resulting sound signal as a test result. A fitting formula is determined based on the test result, and the signal processing device is set based on the fitting formula such that if, during operation of the hearing device, a rise time of a signal start of the input signal is less than or equal to a stored threshold value, then the signal start of the output signal is amplified by a higher gain value than the remaining output signal.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a fireplace grate is disclosed. The fireplace grate includes a plurality of cross bars, a plurality of support bars, and a plurality of fasteners. The plurality of support bars and the plurality of cross bars can be nested together in a disassembled configuration. Each fastener is configured to extend through a hole in one of the cross bars and engage a corresponding threaded hole in one of the support bars so that each cross bar can be fastened to the plurality of support bars in an assembled configuration with each cross bar spanning the plurality of support bars. A width of the fireplace grate in the disassembled configuration is less than 50% of a width of the fireplace grate in the assembled configuration.

Abstract: A nozzle for a chalk box that includes a housing and a chalk reservoir may be configured to be releasably coupled with the housing. The nozzle may include a shell, and a nozzle flange assembly configured to interface with a case flange assembly of the housing to operably couple the nozzle to the housing. The nozzle flange assembly may include a locking member. A gasket portion may be integrated into the locking member to seal an interface between the nozzle flange assembly and the case flange assembly to inhibit chalk leakage from the chalk box.