Between ITE hearing aids for binaural hearing assistance, energy-saving communication is made possible by disposing an antenna device with a preferred direction of transmission in the hearing aid housing such that, in a state in which the hearing aid is attached to or inserted one ear of the patient, the preferred direction of transmission is substantially toward the other ear of the patient. In this way it is ensured that the directions of transmission of the two hearing aids in the fitted state lie substantially on a straight line, so that optimum transmission can be achieved.