Hi all,
Just recently, the sound coming through the earpiece on my 6S during phone calls, voicemail messages etc. has depreciated markedly in quality. it has got much quieter so that sometimes it is difficult to hear. I'm wondering whether this is something that has happened as a result of a software update, or whether it is a hardware problem. I know this can happen if, for example, the earpiece gets wet, but I can't think of when something like that could have happened. Everything else seems to be working fine. Does anyone have any thoughts? Before I take it back to the Apple Store, I would like to rule out anything simple, so anything in terms of diagnostics or ideas of what this might be would be very welcome. I've already tried the regular shutting down and restrating the iPhone, but nothing else. thanks in advance.
Comments
PS
I'm using IOS9.3.4, the latest update available if I've got that numbering wrong. Should have mentioned that before.
Earpiece
Check for anything covering the earpiece. Tape, plastic, dust, anything. If dust or anything has gotten inside the earpiece, you can take some compressed air and blow it out or find a shop to do this for you if you're not comfortable. Do you use a screen protector? If yes, make sure it hasn't moved to cover the earpiece. Do you use an Otterbox or anything like that? Make sure the inside is clean and dry if you use a protective case, as this can cause water build-up over the earpiece.
Earpiece Volume
One thing you could check, while listening to audio through the earpiece, try pressing the volume up button. You can even press and hold it. It could be that your volume for the earpiece could have been unintentionally lowered.
I have learned recently that my device will remember different volume levels for the earpiece, speaker, and various types of headphones.
I recently thought my iPAD mini headphone jack was broken, as I had an expensive set of headphones plugged in but heard no sound. If I plugged in my Apple Earpods, then there was sound. I stupidly tried increasing the volume while my expensive headphones were plugged, the volume somehow returned. Just a thought!
Thanks all
Thanks for the feedback folks. yes, the volume was one thing I should have mentioned was the first thing I checked. Good thought though as I do remember something similar happening to me a few years ago. I don't use a screen protector or case of any sort, but perhaps I should. I have sorted it out now. For future reference if anyone else has a similar problem to me, a wine stopper is the sort of thing that works really well to resolve it. By a wine stopper, I mean the pump action sort of wine stopper that enables you to vacuum seal an uncorked bottle of wine. I used that on the iPhone earpiece and it seems to have done the business.