A method and system for a headset with programmable modes, where the headset comprises a speaker and a beamforming microphone: sensing an ambient sound level near the headset, and configuring the headset in one of a plurality of modes by configuring a beam pattern of the beamforming microphone based on at least the sensed ambient noise level. A user of the headset may configure the headset in the one of the plurality of modes or it may be automatically configured. The beamforming microphone may comprise an array of sound sensing elements. The headset may be configured in a quiet mode when the sensed ambient sound level is below that of a desired sound source and may be configured with a wide beam pattern. The headset may be configured in a loud mode when the sensed ambient sound level is above that of a desired sound source.