SILENCING is the act of reducing or eliminating sound, and MUTING is a form of silencing. MUTING is the process of reducing the volume of a sound to zero, or near zero, without completely cutting off the sound. This can be done either manually or electronically. SILENCING is a broader term that encompasses both manual and electronic methods of reducing sound. It can also refer to the intentional or unintentional blocking of sound, such as through the use of barriers or insulation.