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.