diff --git a/packages/core/package.json b/packages/core/package.json
index ad1656fb..b33901a5 100644
--- a/packages/core/package.json
+++ b/packages/core/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@humeai/voice",
-  "version": "0.1.7",
+  "version": "0.1.8",
   "description": "",
   "main": "./dist/index.js",
   "module": "./dist/index.mjs",
diff --git a/packages/embed-react/package.json b/packages/embed-react/package.json
index 91662f0f..7d4b2889 100644
--- a/packages/embed-react/package.json
+++ b/packages/embed-react/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@humeai/voice-embed-react",
-  "version": "0.1.7",
+  "version": "0.1.8",
   "description": "",
   "main": "./dist/index.js",
   "module": "./dist/index.mjs",
diff --git a/packages/embed/package.json b/packages/embed/package.json
index 46193697..a0aabbbb 100644
--- a/packages/embed/package.json
+++ b/packages/embed/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@humeai/voice-embed",
-  "version": "0.1.7",
+  "version": "0.1.8",
   "description": "",
   "main": "./dist/index.js",
   "module": "./dist/index.mjs",
diff --git a/packages/react/package.json b/packages/react/package.json
index 2b866451..a9b57fd6 100644
--- a/packages/react/package.json
+++ b/packages/react/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@humeai/voice-react",
-  "version": "0.1.7",
+  "version": "0.1.8",
   "description": "",
   "main": "./dist/index.js",
   "module": "./dist/index.mjs",
diff --git a/packages/react/src/lib/useMicrophone.ts b/packages/react/src/lib/useMicrophone.ts
index 6daa9ab3..b7766af9 100644
--- a/packages/react/src/lib/useMicrophone.ts
+++ b/packages/react/src/lib/useMicrophone.ts
@@ -33,11 +33,6 @@ export const useMicrophone = (props: MicrophoneProps) => {
   sendAudio.current = onAudioCaptured;
 
   const dataHandler = useCallback((event: BlobEvent) => {
-    if (isMutedRef.current) {
-      // Do not send audio if the microphone is muted
-      return;
-    }
-
     const blob = event.data;
 
     blob