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configured to extend around at least fifty percent of the length or volume of the end hook when the string is fully withdrawn into the housing.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configured to extend around at least fifty percent of the length or volume of the end hook when the string is fully withdrawn into the housing.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.

Abstract: A method for operating a binaural hearing system having first and second hearing instruments includes using respective electroacoustic first and second input transducers of the first and second hearing instruments to generate first and second input signals from ambient sound. The first and second input signals are used to ascertain respective first and second instantaneous gain parameters. A first parameter of an automatic gain control for the first input signal and/or a second parameter of an automatic gain control for the second input signal is/are adjusted so that the adjustment results in a difference between the first and second instantaneous gain parameters being decreased. Signal processing for the first or second input signal using the thus adjusted first or second parameter of the automatic gain control is performed in the first or second hearing instrument. A binaural hearing system is also provided.

Abstract: A method for operating a hearing device. In this method, an entire audio signal is detected by means of a microphone. The entire audio signal is divided into a first audio signal and a second audio signal. A speech intelligibility of the second audio signal is reduced. The first audio signal and the second audio signal are combined to form an output signal, and the output signal is output by means of an output device. Further, a hearing device is provided.

Abstract: A method for operating a binaural hearing device system having hearing devices assigned or to be assigned to left and right ears of a user and having microphones, includes capturing items of acoustic information using the hearing devices. The acoustic information items are evaluated for whether they contain music. It is ascertained whether two sources are detectable for the music. A spatial angle range, in which the respective source of the music is positioned, is ascertained with respect to a user viewing direction. If the respective spatial angle range of the two sources of the music is in a front half space relative to the viewing direction, a probability is increased that a situation of intentionally listening to music by the user is present. If a specified probability limiting value is exceeded, signal processing for the hearing devices is adapted with respect to the most natural possible music reproduction.

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 hearing system (2) including a hearing instrument (2) and a method for operating a hearing instrument (2) are provided. Therein, a sound signal is captured from an environment of the hearing instrument (2). The captured sound signal is analysed to recognize own-voice intervals, in which the user speaks. The captured sound signal is analysed, during recognized own-voice intervals, to determine a rate of speech (RU) of the user. The captured sound signal is processed in dependence of a set of signal processing parameters (G, NL, BW), and the processed sound signal is output to a user of the hearing instrument (2). Said set of signal processing parameters (G, NL, BW) is adapted if said determined rate of speech (RU) falls below a threshold (TRU).

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 hearing system includes a hearing instrument for capturing a sound signal from an environment of the hearing instrument. The captured sound signal is processed, and the processed sound signal is output to a user of the hearing instrument. In a speech recognition step, the captured sound signal is analyzed to recognize speech intervals, in which the captured sound signal contains speech. In a speech enhancement procedure performed during recognized speech intervals, the amplitude of the processed sound signal is periodically varied according to a temporal pattern that is consistent with a stress rhythmic pattern of the user. A method for operating the hearing instrument is also provided.

Abstract: A modular storage system includes a unit body having a first lateral end, a second lateral end opposite the first lateral end, and an upper surface extending between the first and second lateral ends. The unit body includes a first groove formed in the upper surface at the first lateral end and a first groove connector in the first groove. The system includes a tongue piece having a first and second side. Each of the first and second sides of the tongue piece has a shape corresponding to the first groove and a tongue connector configured to releasably engage the first groove connector.

Abstract: A valve for a lid of a fluid vessel includes a valve body having an adapter portion coupling first and second opposite ends of the valve body. The first and second ends are rotatably fixed to each other and have an angle formed therebetween. The adapter portion is configured to be rotatably coupled to the lid about a first axis. The first end of the valve body is configured to be coupled to a button for rotating the first end about the first axis. The valve includes a stopper coupled to the second end of the valve body and configured to cover an opening in the lid. The stopper is configured to be separated from the opening when the first end of the valve body is rotated in a first direction about the first axis.

Abstract: A method for rejecting inherent noise of a microphone arrangement that includes a first microphone and a second microphone. The first microphone generates a first microphone signal from an ambient sound signal and the second microphone generates a second microphone signal from the ambient sound signal. A measure of correlation between the first microphone signal and the second microphone signal is ascertained, and inherent noise of the first microphone and/or of the second microphone in the first or second microphone signal is rejected on the basis of the measure of correlation.

Abstract: A hearing system contains a hearing instrument and the hearing instrument is configured to support the hearing of a hearing-impaired user. The hearing instrument is operated via an operating method. The method includes capturing a sound signal from an environment of the hearing instrument, processing the captured sound signal to at least partially compensate the hearing-impairment of the user and outputting the processed sound signal to the user. The captured sound signal is analyzed to recognize speech intervals, in which the captured sound signal contains speech. During recognized speech intervals, at least one time derivative of an amplitude and/or a pitch of the captured sound signal is determined. The amplitude of the processed sound signal is temporarily increased, if the at least one derivative fulfills a predefined criterion.

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.

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.