Earmuff Mode

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Earmuff Mode, or "Earmuffs" is a feature, that allows a user to reduce the volume of other users outside a customizable radius around them. Earmuffs can be accessed by the Quick Menu through the Audio tab, or in the Settings tab of the Main Menu, under Audio & Voice. While Earmuff Mode is enabled, other users can see if another user has it enabled by looking for an Earmuff indicator at the top right of their nameplate, as seen below:

An earmuff indicator appearing on a nameplate, when active.

Overview

Earmuff Icon as it appears in VRChat.

Earmuff Mode was released as an accessibility feature to the platform, initially in an Open Beta period on August 5, 2022, and then officially launched on August 30, 2022. There are different settings and preferences to change how Earmuff Mode is used. The shortcut for quickly toggling on and off Earmuff Mode, is by double-clicking the Audio tab on the Quick Menu.

Settings

Earmuffs Mode can be toggled on or off and comes with different settings, to allow you to customize your preferred way of "muffling" users.

See also: Earmuff Mode Settings for a streamlined view.

Distance

• This changes the range in meters at which the volume of other players will begin to be reduced.
• Distance value can be set between 0.0-10.0m.

A demonstration of the Earmuff Mode menu, and the visual aid indicated by the red and gray circles.

Falloff Distance

• The falloff in meters of which user volumes will be reduced outside the initial range.
• Falloff distance value can be set between 0.0-10.0m.

Outside Volume

• The lowest range a user's volume will be reduced to.
• Outside volume value can be set between 0-100%.

Always Show Visual Aide

• Will toggle the visualization of the Earmuff range to always be visible.
• Toggles between Off/On.

Include Avatar Audio

• Whether or not Avatar Audio is affected by Earmuff Mode.
• Toggles between Off/On.

Forward Cone

• Adjusts the range to a cone to favor users in front of the user.
• Forward cone value can be set between 0-100%.

Falloff Forward Shift

• Adjust the amount of forward offset that the directionality property applies to your Earmuff's falloff zone.
• Forward cone value can be set between 0-100%.

Shape Follows Rotation of...

• Whether the shape of the Earmuff cone follows the user's camera (current view) or the root of their avatar.
• Toggles between Camera and Avatar.

Lock Shape Rotation

• Locks the shape rotation in its current position.
• Toggles between Off/On.

Official resources

• Earmuff Mode at docs.vrchat.com

Trivia

• Earmuff Mode was originally called "Conversation Dome" during development
• This feature can also be quickly toggled by double-clicking the Audio tab, when the Quick Menu is open
• Concept art of Earmuff Mode showed VRCat wearing earmuffs, and without wearing their signature cardboard box; this was later changed to include the box