Help! MacBook won't shut up

[question everything]

Spouse got a new MacBook Air 14.2.1 and it talks constantly.

Our desks are next to each other and it is driving both of us crazy.

All the suggestions System > accessability does not do anything.

Neither does Command F5

Any suggestions? Thanks

[usonian]

1. Look under notifications.

I recall turning every one of them off except critical ones (very few) and turning off sound for some that I allow to notify me.

I'd like to turn off all notifications but that's not possible normally.

HTH. I am not at the Mac right now. I'll edit if I need to correct anything here.

[CloudWatcher]

2. What's it saying?

Seriously ... "talks constantly" isn't very specific. Is it describing what's happening on your screen or is it reading an audio book or are you hearing the voice of the machine describing its inner angst?

I'm guessing you have Voiceover enabled, but you said CMD-F5 didn't change it ... perhaps your voiceover modifier has gotten changed?

A couple of pages that might help ...

https://support.apple.com/guide/voiceover/voiceover-modifier-unac048/10/mac/14.0
https://support.apple.com/guide/voiceover/general-commands-cpvokys01/mac

In any event, recheck System Setting / Accessibility / VoiceOver and confirm that it's disabled.

[question everything]

3. Spouse just lowered the voice to zero. What it was saying? the typing!