A speech signal leveling system and method include generating an output signal by applying a frequency-dependent or frequency-independent controllable gain to an input signal, the gain being dependent on a gain control signal, and generating at least one speech detection signal indicative of voice components contained in the input signal. The system and method further include generating the gain control signal based on the input signal and the at least one speech detection signal, controlling the controllable-gain block to amplify or attenuate the input signal to have a predetermined mean or maximum or absolute peak signal level as long as voice components are detected in the input signal.