Abstract: A system and method for factoring a merged wave field, such as a merged acoustic wave field, into independent source signals uses an array of sensors to sense the merged wave field and a signal processor to determine the factored source signal data. One application for the system and method is in a hearing aid to allow an individual to selectively listen to one individual in a group of individuals speaking simultaneously. The system and method factors the merged wave field by predicting the source signals and combining the predicted source signals with source delay values associated with each of the sound or energy sources to form predicted sensor signals. The source delay values can be set as predetermined values or can be calculated using a cross-correlation process. The predicted sensor signals are compared to the actual sensor signals output by each sensor to determine a prediction verification factor.