Implement a global audio-off switch at the start of a Storyline project (without major changes)?

Hi everyone,

I’m currently updating a Storyline e-learning project. Originally, the business department wanted audio to play automatically on each slide, but users can mute or resume the sound using a speaker button on each slide (see picture).

Now, the department wants an option to turn off all audio right at the beginning—for all slides at once. Unfortunately, I don’t have much time and would prefer not to fundamentally change my existing sound menu or logic.

My idea:
I thought about setting a variable (e.g., audio_off = true/false) at the start. On each slide, if audio_off is true, the media (audio) would be stopped automatically.
So:

• When audio_off is true → stop media X on each slide.

Question:

• Do you have any other ideas for a simple solution to this problem? (i am not using the global player)
• Is there a better way to implement a global audio-off switch in Storyline, without having to change the logic on every single slide?
• Any tips for handling this with minimal changes, since other logic depends on the current setup?

It wasnt perfect from the beginning but chaning everything is difficult from time prespective. Thanks a lot for your help!