Strange mouse and headset issue

[thunderstrike23]

I have tried, now, with two different kinds of USB headsets (one with a bluetooth dongle, and one wired) and both produce the same, strange result.

When the headset is plugged in, and selected as the device to play sound, the mouse locks up whenever ANY sound is made. Message tone, sound test, music, video, etc. Anything seems to set this off, and I'm not sure what to do about it.
I am using Linux Mint Cinnamon.
The headsets I tried were both Corsair brand. One was the wireless gaming headset, the other was the wired gaming headset.
I have tried restarting the computer
I have tried putting one and then both of the headsets into different usb ports.

Only the mouse is affected. The keyboard works fine.
I have used the mouse without problem on other systems
I have used the headsets without problem on other systems.
It only seems to be a Linux Mint Cinnamon thing. Or something's borked and I don't know where to look.

Does anyone have any insight here? These headsets were kind of expensive, and I don't have anything 'good' to use as speakers.