True, it is not the .so that is linked to but the .so.2 or .so.4. I will create a libao legacy extension with those two files to allow the use of the newer vorbis stuff. That would allow a gradual transition to the newer libao.
But it would be good when library extensions are updated if the submitter would check to see if there differences in the new one that will break existing apps. Biggest thing to look for probably the number of the lib.so.X files. If they change number, then likely they will break apps. The upstream changelogs will also often tell if an update will break things.