A hearing device comprises A) a forward path, comprising a1) an input unit for providing a time-domain electric input signal as digital samples, a2) an analysis filter bank configured to provide a time-frequency representation of said electric input signal, a3) a signal processing unit for processing a signal of the forward path and providing a number of processed channel-signals, B) an onset detector configured to receive said time-domain electric input signal before entering said analysis filter bank, and to provide an onset control signal dependent on a current first order derivative of an envelope thereof, C) a level estimation unit for estimating a current level of said frequency sub-band signals, and comprising c1) a level adjustment unit configured to adjust the current levels of said frequency sub-band signals, and to control said level adjustment in dependence of said onset control signal. The invention may be used in audio devices, e.g. hearing aids.