diff --git a/sound/soc/codecs/stac9766.c b/sound/soc/codecs/stac9766.c
index 62cbeedf93b9..9de7fe8af255 100644
--- a/sound/soc/codecs/stac9766.c
+++ b/sound/soc/codecs/stac9766.c
@@ -165,38 +165,22 @@ static const struct snd_kcontrol_new stac9766_snd_ac97_controls[] = {
 	SOC_ENUM("Pop Bypass Mux", stac9766_popbypass_enum),
 };
 
-static int stac9766_ac97_write(struct snd_soc_codec *codec, unsigned int reg,
-			       unsigned int val)
-{
-	return snd_soc_write(codec, reg, val);
-}
-
-static unsigned int stac9766_ac97_read(struct snd_soc_codec *codec,
-				       unsigned int reg)
-{
-	return snd_soc_read(codec, reg);
-}
-
 static int ac97_analog_prepare(struct snd_pcm_substream *substream,
 			       struct snd_soc_dai *dai)
 {
 	struct snd_soc_codec *codec = dai->codec;
 	struct snd_pcm_runtime *runtime = substream->runtime;
-	unsigned short reg, vra;
+	unsigned short reg;
 
-	vra = stac9766_ac97_read(codec, AC97_EXTENDED_STATUS);
-
-	vra |= 0x1; /* enable variable rate audio */
-	vra &= ~0x4; /* disable SPDIF output */
-
-	stac9766_ac97_write(codec, AC97_EXTENDED_STATUS, vra);
+	/* enable variable rate audio, disable SPDIF output */
+	snd_soc_update_bits(codec, AC97_EXTENDED_STATUS, 0x5, 0x1);
 
 	if (substream->stream == SNDRV_PCM_STREAM_PLAYBACK)
 		reg = AC97_PCM_FRONT_DAC_RATE;
 	else
 		reg = AC97_PCM_LR_ADC_RATE;
 
-	return stac9766_ac97_write(codec, reg, runtime->rate);
+	return snd_soc_write(codec, reg, runtime->rate);
 }
 
 static int ac97_digital_prepare(struct snd_pcm_substream *substream,
@@ -204,18 +188,16 @@ static int ac97_digital_prepare(struct snd_pcm_substream *substream,
 {
 	struct snd_soc_codec *codec = dai->codec;
 	struct snd_pcm_runtime *runtime = substream->runtime;
-	unsigned short reg, vra;
+	unsigned short reg;
 
-	stac9766_ac97_write(codec, AC97_SPDIF, 0x2002);
+	snd_soc_write(codec, AC97_SPDIF, 0x2002);
 
-	vra = stac9766_ac97_read(codec, AC97_EXTENDED_STATUS);
-	vra |= 0x5; /* Enable VRA and SPDIF out */
-
-	stac9766_ac97_write(codec, AC97_EXTENDED_STATUS, vra);
+	/* Enable VRA and SPDIF out */
+	snd_soc_update_bits(codec, AC97_EXTENDED_STATUS, 0x5, 0x5);
 
 	reg = AC97_PCM_FRONT_DAC_RATE;
 
-	return stac9766_ac97_write(codec, reg, runtime->rate);
+	return snd_soc_write(codec, reg, runtime->rate);
 }
 
 static int stac9766_set_bias_level(struct snd_soc_codec *codec,
@@ -225,11 +207,11 @@ static int stac9766_set_bias_level(struct snd_soc_codec *codec,
 	case SND_SOC_BIAS_ON: /* full On */
 	case SND_SOC_BIAS_PREPARE: /* partial On */
 	case SND_SOC_BIAS_STANDBY: /* Off, with power */
-		stac9766_ac97_write(codec, AC97_POWERDOWN, 0x0000);
+		snd_soc_write(codec, AC97_POWERDOWN, 0x0000);
 		break;
 	case SND_SOC_BIAS_OFF: /* Off, without power */
 		/* disable everything including AC link */
-		stac9766_ac97_write(codec, AC97_POWERDOWN, 0xffff);
+		snd_soc_write(codec, AC97_POWERDOWN, 0xffff);
 		break;
 	}
 	return 0;