skype w/ usb audio device

[Mark Grieveson <dg135@torfree.net>]

Hello.  I set up Skype, with a usb audio device, for the homeless in a 
shelter that I work in.  This is useful, because people can contact 
family and/or friends whom they may otherwise not have been able to 
contact.  I set this up on Debian Etch.

However, I find the volume settings are constantly changing on the usb 
audio device.  It becomes mute, or the levels open too high causing 
distortion, etc.  Is there a way to stop the volume levels of a usb 
audio device from changing?  It seems to change on it's own.

If there's any other diagnostic material/information that you need 
before being able to make a suggestion, just let me know.

Thanks,

Mark