Automatic regulation systems with relevance to hearing aids

Abstract

Compression amplification in hearing aids has gained much interest in the recent years. Other types of nonlinear signal processing in hearing aids are developing. The principles of nonlinear signal processing through automatic regulation, as opposed to instanteaneously acting nonlinear signal transfer, is described in general. In particular the properties and terminology of amplitude compression and limiting circuits in relation to hearing aids are discussed. Several examples are given of nonlinear regulation systems for hearing aids involving other features than amplitude compression.