Abstract: A method for operating a dimmer which has an input and an output. An input signal applied to the input is detected, and an output signal is determined from the input signal by way of a non-linear characteristic curve. The output signal is applied to the output. There is also described a dimmer and a lighting unit with an LED unit and a dimmer.

Abstract: A circuit breaker system has a switch, in particular in the form of a controllable power semiconductor, which is connected between a voltage input and a load output for the purpose of switching a load within a current path. The circuit breaker system further includes a circuit breaker, which can be repositioned between a first plug-in position forming a series circuit with the switch and a second plug-in position forming a parallel circuit with the switch.

Abstract: In a method for detecting and/or removing errors in the transmission and storage of data in a digital hearing device and a digital hearing device operating according to the method, an internal check of transmitted and stored data occurs within the hearing device itself. The digital hearing device has an input transducer, an output transducer, a processor and a program memory, with a checking element for internal checking of transmitted and stored data within the hearing device, being connected at least to the program memory and the processor.

Abstract: In a hearing aid having a microphone and an earphone with a signal processing unit connected therebetween, and a method for operating such a hearing aid, a filter element in the signal processing unit splits the signal from the microphone into a number of partial signals, and each of the partial signals is analyzed, to determine whether they respectively contain speech information, by comparing the magnitude of the envelope of the partial signal to the average value of the partial signal. For any partial signal having an envelope magnitude which exceeds the average value, the analysis unit operates an amplification stage to amplify that partial signal before it proceeds to the earphone.

Abstract: In order to test a hearing aid having at least one microphone, one signal processing unit and one sound transducer, a sound channel is produced between the microphone and the sound transducer. The electrical signal path in the hearing aid is interrupted, and a test signal is fed into the interrupted signal path within the hearing aid, is emitted via the sound transducer, and is passed on through the sound channel to the microphone. The signal received by the microphone is then evaluated.

Abstract: A digital hearing aid with a variable directional microphone characteristic, has a signal processing unit, an earphone and at least two microphones, with a sigma-delta converter as well as a delay element following immediately thereafter in at least one microphone signal path. In a method for the operation of such a digital hearing aid, an A/D conversion with the sigma-delta converter ensues in the signal path of at least one microphone and the resulting 1-bit signal is delayed.

Abstract: In a hearing aid, a communication unit that is a transmission and/or reception unit detachably connected to the hearing aid is provided for wireless programming. This unit preferably comprises the external shape of a hearing aid battery and can be introduced into the battery compartment of the hearing aid for programming. As a result, components needed for the wireless programming of the hearing aid are only connected to the hearing aid during programming.

Abstract: In order to test a hearing aid having at least one microphone, one signal processing unit and one sound transducer, a sound channel is produced between the microphone and the sound transducer. The electrical signal path in the hearing aid is interrupted, and a test signal is fed into the interrupted signal path within the hearing aid, is emitted via the sound transducer, and is passed on through the sound channel to the microphone. The signal received by the microphone is then evaluated.

Abstract: A hearing aid has a signal processing unit, an earphone and at least two microphones whose output signals are subtracted from one another in a first difference element in order to achieve a directional microphone characteristic, and a difference element subtracts average values of the output signals of the microphones and supplies a signal to an analysis/control unit for controlling the amplification of the output signal of at least one of the microphones that follows the second difference element. In a method for the operation of a hearing aid having automatic microphone balancing, following formation of average values proceeding from the output signals of the microphones, the deviation of the average values from one another is identified and the amplification of at least one output signal of a microphone is adjusted until coincidence of the average values occurs.

Abstract: In a method and a hearing device for allowing processes arising in non-synchronous fashion relative to the execution of loaded programs for signal processing in a hearing device with digital signal processing to be taken into consideration at a time approximately contemporaneous with the occurrence of the non-synchronous process, first the occurrence of a non-synchronous process is detected, followed by an interruption of the execution of the loaded program or an avoidance of the starting of a new program. In a further step a classification of the non-synchronous process with respect to the process type and a decision is made as to whether the loaded program should be continued at a new program step or a suitable new program should be selected, depending on this decision, either a continuation of the loaded program takes place at a new program step, or a selection, loading and execution of a new program is undertaken.

Abstract: A method and circuit for signal amplification in digital hearing aids, in particular in hearing aids with automatic gain control (AGC). In the method there first ensues a digitization of an input signal from the signal path of the hearing aid, then a rectification of sampled values of the digitized input signal. Next a determination of gain values is allocated to the sampled values, after which there is a smoothing of the gain values. Finally, after previous allocation of the smoothed gain values to the sampled values, allocated values, reconverted to analog form, are outputted into the signal path of the hearing aid.

Abstract: A digital hearing aid is employable for tinnitus therapy, as well as for retraining tinnitus therapy, in combination with correction of other hearing impairments of a user of the hearing aid. For this purpose, the hearing aid contains a signal processing chain, between a hearing aid input and a hearing aid output, which is responsible for producing a useful signal by acting on the input signal in a manner to correct the hearing impairment of a user of the hearing aid. The signal processing chain also includes an arrangement for generating a tinnitus therapy signal, which is combined in the signal processing chain with the useful signal, dependent on a mode of operation which has been selected or set.

Abstract: In a method for processing data, in particular signal data in a programmable digital hearing aid, first a data memory is searched to locate a stored comparison input value corresponding with a current, incoming input data value E which satisfies a comparison condition. Subsequently the data memory is searched for a stored output value allocated in a predetermined manner now-identified to the stored input data value via a characteristic function. Subsequently the determined comparison output value is emitted as an output value, and the procedure is repeated for further incoming input data values. In a circuit for processing data, particularly signal data, in a programmable hearing aid, the incoming input data value is supplied via a data input/output unit of a processor to a comparison element for determining whether there exists a stored input value corresponding to the current input data value by satisfying a comparison condition.