A method of controlling a personal acoustic device includes performing a first analysis of one or more of an inner signal output by an inner microphone and an outer signal output by an outer microphone disposed on the personal acoustic device to determine if a buffet event has occurred. A second analysis is performed on or both of the inner and outer signals to determine if a voice event of a user occurred. If a buffet event is determined to have occurred and a voice event is determined not to have occurred, a third analysis is performed on the inner and outer signals to determine an operating state of the personal acoustic device. If a change in the operating state is determined, an operation of the personal acoustic device may be initiated such as changing a power state, an ANR state or an audio output state of the device.