The invention relates to an operator control apparatus and to a method for operating an operator control apparatus which comprises at least one operator control element for capturing user inputs and an approach recognition device which is designed to sense an approach by an actuating element, in particular a body part, of a user to the operator control element before the at least one operator control element is touched, wherein the approach recognition device comprises a reflection light barrier, which has at least one lamp (22a-22d) for emitting electromagnetic detection radiation (35) in front of the at least one operator control element into a physically limited detection area (4) which does not cover an entire volume in front of the at least one operator control element, and a reception element (28) for detecting a detection radiation (35) component which is scattered and/or reflected at the actuating element of the user during an approach to the at least one operator control element, wherein the approach recognition device is designed to recognize an approach from intensity of the received detection radiation.