An application programming interface (API) executed by a first processing unit combines audio data samples with error code values generated for those samples. The API then causes a data stream to be opened having sufficient bandwidth to accommodate combined samples made up of audio data samples and corresponding error code values. The combined samples are then transmitted to a decoder and validation unit within a second processing unit that receives the combined data, strips the error code values and validates the audio data based on the error code values. When the error code values indicate that the audio data has been compromised, the second processing unit terminates the output of sound derived from the audio data.