AudioHog public beta
Frequently asked questions
A quick guide to using AudioHog, with clear answers about privacy and the limits of a browser-based beta.
Updated October 15, 2026
What does AudioHog do?
AudioHog gives you a visual reminder when detected speech continues beyond your chosen limit. Use it alongside meetings and sales calls as a personal cue to pause and invite someone else in. The default reminder is 90 seconds; you can change it.
How do I get started?
Try the microphone-free demo first, or choose Start session and allow microphone access. Keep your microphone at your usual meeting distance, stay quiet for 2 seconds, then speak normally for about 4 seconds. Setup stays on your device. End session stops microphone access immediately.
Do I need to connect my meeting app?
No. AudioHog does not join your meeting, require a meeting integration or transcribe the conversation. It analyzes the microphone input your browser can access. Some devices or other apps may prevent simultaneous microphone access; the app will explain if it cannot open the microphone.
Is my audio recorded or uploaded?
No. Microphone audio is processed in temporary memory on your device, including by a bundled local speech model. AudioHog does not record, save, upload or send microphone audio to a server. Only settings and up to 30 completed session summaries stay in this browser.
Can it tell whether I am the person speaking?
No. AudioHog does not recognize or identify speakers. Other people, meeting audio, music or background sounds can trigger activity. Headphones help reduce meeting-speaker feedback. Statistics are estimates of detected activity, not verified participation or individual speaking time.
What about keyboard noise and natural pauses?
Speech detection helps reject keyboard sounds, but noise rejection is not perfect. Loud or unusual sounds can still trigger activity, and noise that masks your voice can cause misses. Short pauses remain part of a speaking turn when you resume before the silence reset (3 seconds by default). Re-run microphone setup if your microphone, input gain or environment changes.
Will it work in the background or over another app?
Keep the tab visible and the device awake for more dependable reminders. Browsers can throttle or suspend capture during background use, sleep or screen lock. Floating reminders use Document Picture-in-Picture where supported, mainly on desktop Chromium. A browser cannot guarantee overlays above other desktop apps or continuous background monitoring.
Which browsers and devices can I use?
A recent desktop Chrome or Edge is the best-tested starting point. Live detection needs HTTPS (or localhost), JavaScript, microphone permission, Web Workers and WebAssembly SIMD. Safari, Firefox and mobile behavior can vary; they have not received the same automated and hardware coverage. Unsupported or restricted browsers can still try the demo. Mobile background capture and floating windows are especially limited.
Can I install it and use it offline?
Yes, after the first online load and successful offline caching. About 14 MB of app and speech-model assets are cached from this site's own origin. Use your browser's Install app menu; on iPhone or iPad use Safari's Share → Add to Home Screen. Offline storage can be evicted or unavailable in private browsing. Support links still need internet access.
What does it cost? Is support a subscription?
All current beta features are free, without an account or card. Support AudioHog is a voluntary link to Ryan Shechtman's Ko-fi page. AudioHog has no subscription or Pro tier, and support does not unlock features. Any transaction happens on Ko-fi under its and its payment providers' terms.
Why did setup or a session stop?
Allow microphone access in your browser's site settings, check your input device and close apps that have exclusive access. Stay at your normal distance during setup. If detection assets cannot load, reconnect and reload once. Muting, disconnecting or suspending the audio pipeline ends the session. Sampling gaps skip unobserved time rather than inventing speaking activity. Restart setup when the input is available again.
How do I clear my data or ask a question?
History → Clear history removes completed summaries. Your browser's site-data controls remove settings, history and the offline cache; browser site settings can also revoke microphone permission. For questions about AudioHog or its policies, visit Ryan Shechtman's linked Ko-fi profile. Please do not send meeting recordings or confidential call content.