An audio signal is divided among exponentially related subband filters. The spectral flatness measure in each subband signal is determined and the measures are weighted and combined. The sum is compared with a threshold to determine the presence of music or noise. If music is detected, the noise estimation process in the noise reduction circuitry is turned off to avoid distorting the signal. If music is detected, residual echo suppression circuitry is also turned off to avoid inserting comfort noise.