Embodiments herein relate to hearing assistance systems and devices. In an embodiment, a hearing assistance device is included having a control circuit, a microphone, a motion sensor, a receiver, and a sound processor. The hearing assistance device is configured to output sound to a wearer of the hearing assistance device with the receiver based on sound detected with the microphone, detect chewing of the wearer by evaluating signals from the microphone and/or the motion sensor, and modulate a gain value of the sound processor for sounds output through the receiver based on the chewing detected. Other embodiments are also included herein.