Is there a way to turn off the voice notes function?

I really need to stop people sending me these boring mini podcasts, because I absolutely hate them with a passion. Not only are they usually mundane and rambling because people repeat themselves a lot in speech, but I feel I'm expected to send one back and I'm not comfortable with that.

I've told people but they don't listen. At least if I had the option not to receive them at all, I can regain control of the situation.

I realise it's a useful function in certain circumstances, when typing is a grind, but seriously when I see one arrive that's longer than 20 seconds I just get that sinking feeling.

I received one yesterday lasting 22 minutes - and the sender could've said when she wanted to say in two easy to read sentences once you'd stripped away the pauses and endless repetition.