diff --git a/services/oboeservice/AAudioStreamTracker.h b/services/oboeservice/AAudioStreamTracker.h
index 54e46ca..57ec426 100644
--- a/services/oboeservice/AAudioStreamTracker.h
+++ b/services/oboeservice/AAudioStreamTracker.h
@@ -32,25 +32,35 @@
 
 public:
     /**
-     * Remove the stream associated with the handle.
+     * Find the stream associated with the handle.
+     * Decrement its reference counter. If zero and the stream needs
+     * to be closed then remove the stream and return a pointer to the stream.
+     * Otherwise return null if it does not need to be closed.
+     *
      * @param streamHandle
-     * @return strong pointer to the stream if found or to nullptr
+     * @return strong pointer to the stream if it needs to be closed, or nullptr
      */
-    android::sp<AAudioServiceStreamBase> removeStreamByHandle(aaudio_handle_t streamHandle);
+    android::sp<AAudioServiceStreamBase> decrementAndRemoveStreamByHandle(
+            aaudio_handle_t streamHandle);
 
     /**
      * Look up a stream based on the handle.
+     * Increment its service reference count if found.
+     *
      * @param streamHandle
-     * @return strong pointer to the stream if found or to nullptr
+     * @return strong pointer to the stream if found, or nullptr
      */
-    android::sp<aaudio::AAudioServiceStreamBase> getStreamByHandle(aaudio_handle_t streamHandle);
+    android::sp<aaudio::AAudioServiceStreamBase> getStreamByHandleAndIncrement(
+            aaudio_handle_t streamHandle);
 
     /**
      * Look up a stream based on the AudioPolicy portHandle.
+     * Increment its service reference count if found.
+     *
      * @param portHandle
-     * @return strong pointer to the stream if found or to nullptr
+     * @return strong pointer to the stream if found, or nullptr
      */
-    android::sp<aaudio::AAudioServiceStreamBase> findStreamByPortHandle(
+    android::sp<aaudio::AAudioServiceStreamBase> findStreamByPortHandleAndIncrement(
             audio_port_handle_t portHandle);
 
     /**
@@ -71,7 +81,9 @@
 
     // Track stream using a unique handle that wraps. Only use positive half.
     mutable std::mutex                mHandleLock;
-    std::atomic<aaudio_handle_t>      mPreviousHandle{0};
+    // protected by mHandleLock
+    aaudio_handle_t                   mPreviousHandle = 0;
+    // protected by mHandleLock
     std::map<aaudio_handle_t, android::sp<aaudio::AAudioServiceStreamBase>> mStreamsByHandle;
 };