Welcome to the Roku Community, @crohlke!
We appreciate your feedback and would like to provide further information about this.
The Voice-activated remote that comes with the Roku Express 4K cannot have its voice command feature disabled, unlike the Voice Remote Pro. The only Roku Voice Remote with an always-on microphone, meaning you don't have to press a button to activate it, is the Voice Remote Pro.
In the meantime, you may use the Roku mobile app as an alternative to your physical remote. This app features a voice command and private listening, allowing you to use your phone or tablet as a Roku remote.
Nevertheless, we appreciate your feedback and would happily forward this to the team, as we always aim for your convenience and satisfaction.
Best regards,
Carly
Carly Y.
Roku Community Moderator