a comparator level circuit to detect a voltage level change direction and time counter circuit to measure pulse duration the output of this pulse analysis circuitry 38 can interface with the hearing aid control 50 to change various function and parameter values referring to the joystick embodiment shown in fig2 a similar functionality can be implemented as that provided by the switch illustrated in fig1 accordingly short and long electrical pulses can control similar or identical functions described above but can make use of a joystick type control capable of moving in two dimensions left right and up down note that in fig2 there is only a single ic control input pad 30 that is controlled by the joystick toggle arm 26 and either a left or up movement will trigger a first connection whereas a down or right movement will trigger a second connection in this case a similar analysis of short and long pulses can be implemented however in another embodiment as illustrated in fig3 it may be desirable to control two different inputs depending on whether an up down or left right motion is utilized on the joystick in this scenario it is possible to use only.