A method of operation saves energy during the operation of a binaural hearing system having a left-hand hearing device and a right-hand hearing device. The method includes providing a left-hand internal input signal in the left-hand hearing device and a right-hand internal input signal in the right-hand hearing device. A sending mode of the left-hand hearing device and/or right-hand hearing device is activated and/or deactivated. The sending mode is therein activated in one of the hearing devices automatically in dependence on the respective internal input signal and the sending mode is deactivated in one of the hearing devices automatically in dependence on the respective internal input signal and of a communication signal received from the respective other hearing device.