diff --git a/internal/audio/nonblocking_audio.go b/internal/audio/nonblocking_audio.go
index d0af2b8..d450b93 100644
--- a/internal/audio/nonblocking_audio.go
+++ b/internal/audio/nonblocking_audio.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package audio
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"runtime"
 	"sync"
 	"sync/atomic"
 	"time"
@@ -130,6 +131,10 @@ func (nam *NonBlockingAudioManager) StartAudioInput(receiveChan <-chan []byte) e
 
 // outputWorkerThread handles all blocking audio output operations
 func (nam *NonBlockingAudioManager) outputWorkerThread() {
+	// Lock to OS thread to isolate blocking CGO operations
+	runtime.LockOSThread()
+	defer runtime.UnlockOSThread()
+	
 	defer nam.wg.Done()
 	defer atomic.StoreInt32(&nam.outputWorkerRunning, 0)
 
@@ -263,6 +268,10 @@ func (nam *NonBlockingAudioManager) outputCoordinatorThread() {
 
 // inputWorkerThread handles all blocking audio input operations
 func (nam *NonBlockingAudioManager) inputWorkerThread() {
+	// Lock to OS thread to isolate blocking CGO operations
+	runtime.LockOSThread()
+	defer runtime.UnlockOSThread()
+	
 	defer nam.wg.Done()
 	defer atomic.StoreInt32(&nam.inputWorkerRunning, 0)