I have found the easiest and most effective is unmapping the device (example uses Empirical Audio device):
Go to Control Panel - System Hardware - Device Manager - Sound Video and Game Controllers Empirical 1.1 - Right-Click and select Properties - Audio Devices Empirical 1.1 - Properties - Set "Do not use audio features" and set "Do not map through this Device"
You will need to reboot and then if you change it back to mapped, then you must re-boot
Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Go to Control Panel - System Hardware - Device Manager - Sound Video and Game Controllers Empirical 1.1 - Right-Click and select Properties - Audio Devices Empirical 1.1 - Properties - Set "Do not use audio features" and set "Do not map through this Device"
You will need to reboot and then if you change it back to mapped, then you must re-boot
Steve N.
Empirical Audio