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Low in-call volume fixed

Dave L

Well-Known Member
Apr 30, 2010
164
28
Thailand
Well I have been suffering with low in-call volume for a while now. This problem seemed to exist for me since the last ICS update. I was hoping JB may have fixed it but it didn't.

I tried volume + and many of the other potential fixes. Nothing seemed to help. I was thinking of getting rode of the One X. Then I recalled reading a post on here or over on XDA, can't remember, about cleaning the tiny speaker grill holes with a soft tooth brush. At the time thought, nah! My phone is really clean, if those holes where clogged I would be able to see it. So I dismissed that idea out right.

So here I was weeks later and the volume is no better. If I'm in a quiet room its manageable but any ambient noise at all and hearing the caller was a real struggle.

Last night I was browsing the forums to see if there had been any fixes for the low volume lately. Nothing, so I thought I had nothing to lose and got a soft toothbrush and gently scrubbed over the speaker holes. I wasn't expecting any difference because they looked perfectly clean to me.

WoW! What a difference. I can't believe how much difference that has really made. I have now uninstalled the volume + and have had to turn down the volume.

So to the guy who first suggested this fix, I apologise for dismissing the idea all those weeks ago and thanks to you I'm no longer thinking of getting rid of my trusty One X.
 
Thanks for letting us know, Dave! I am gonna do this to mine just to see if it'll clean it up a little, even though my volume isn't bad. It'll be a good thing to know to recommend to people.

EDIT: I just did this out of curiosity. I used the toothbrush for close to 5 minutes before everything came out, both on the headset part and the speaker holes in the back. My notification light is about 3 times brighter now. I'm pretty sure it'll actually be visible in sunlight. It's great. Thanks for the recommendation.
 
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Thank you so much for this help, I've been having this problem for months and couldn't find any solutions on-line until i came across this. The tooth brush didn't appear to be doing much for me, so I flicked out the dirt of the speaker grill using a sharp needle.

I've taken before and after pictures for comparison, it made me realise just how blocked they were before. Even though it's not 100% clear, it's still a vast improvement in sound compared to before.
Link to photos: imgur.com/a/vM1M5#0
 
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I too was having a real issue with low volume on my HTC One X. This was both front a back speakers and was getting to the point I couldn't use it. :mad:

Tried the toothbrush but it didn't help so I took to it with the back of a pin badge and the difference is shamazing! I wiggled the sharp end in each and every little hole. At first I was worried it might damage it but it didn't. It's like a new phone and at last I can hear the directions from the sat nav man and no more asking my firends to repeat them selves if there's a slight wind! :)
 
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MI just cant believe that a spare brush that was lying in a corner of my bathroom made this happen. Even I saw that post on XDA but thought of it as a waste. How wrong was I. Lately the low sound was just unbearable. And once again i googled abt the problem. And found this post. M so excited now that both my call volume & speaker volume has increased. Like a FRESH now.. Thanxxx a lot for posting this DAVE.. LONG LIVE DAVE.. ;)
 
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Well I have been suffering with low in-call volume for a while now. This problem seemed to exist for me since the last ICS update. I was hoping JB may have fixed it but it didn't.

I tried volume + and many of the other potential fixes. Nothing seemed to help. I was thinking of getting rode of the One X. Then I recalled reading a post on here or over on XDA, can't remember, about cleaning the tiny speaker grill holes with a soft tooth brush. At the time thought, nah! My phone is really clean, if those holes where clogged I would be able to see it. So I dismissed that idea out right.

So here I was weeks later and the volume is no better. If I'm in a quiet room its manageable but any ambient noise at all and hearing the caller was a real struggle.

Last night I was browsing the forums to see if there had been any fixes for the low volume lately. Nothing, so I thought I had nothing to lose and got a soft toothbrush and gently scrubbed over the speaker holes. I wasn't expecting any difference because they looked perfectly clean to me.

WoW! What a difference. I can't believe how much difference that has really made. I have now uninstalled the volume + and have had to turn down the volume.

So to the guy who first suggested this fix, I apologise for dismissing the idea all those weeks ago and thanks to you I'm no longer thinking of getting rid of my trusty One X.
Thank you for posting this.......
I was having this problem and i was worried alot... Tried with needle and it works....
 
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I don't believe it, like the original post I also dismissed the holes being blocked as they looked fine, after reading this and soo many people with the same phone saying it worked, I decided to give it a go. Once I started brushing the holes with a toothbrush, the dirt turned grey and i was able to see it. It was blocked all the way across, before this I had to use a bluetooth headset (which I hate wearing) or make calls in the car to use the car's built in hands free. I'm over the moon, I've had this One X for 2 years and really didn't want to get rid of it, its never failed me (well apart from this) it does everything I could want it to do, I mean ffs HDMI to your tv on your phone, why would you need another device. Admittedly as i've had it 2 years, I did need to use a needle to open some of the holes as a brush just didn't work, but it allowed me to see the dirt.
 
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I knew I wasn't going deaf so.... Checked speaker pores with a microscope = every opening was totally clogged. Initially, tried vacuum = no go. Then, tried toothbrush = no effect. Next, considered using a needle (and realized the dirt would be pushed in and, eventually, clog hopelessly), but had an idea that I tested and it worked perfectly (a medical research scientist of nearly 40 years, I should be able to come up with plausible constructs): place over the entire speaker pore surface and rub down well (as if burnishing) a piece of transparent sticky tape (often called "Scotch tape", the generic name in America). First, tried simply quickly pulling off the tape = no result. Next, placed the tape as described and then used a fine needle to perforate the tape through each pore (just one hole punch), in turn, and, then, quickly pulled the tape off. This produced an excellent result very rapidly, likely with no dirt left behind (it is removed on the tape, as verified macro- and microscopically). I believe this to be a safe, easy, and quick method.

As a good medical scientist, I believe that prevention trumps cure every time, but I'm afraid we'll have to wait for the designers and engineers to come up with a screen against the problem of contaminant incursion into our 'phones.

Cheers, Gary.
 
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I never in a thousand years would have assumed clogged earpiece holes causing the lack of volume.

Toothbrush wasn't really doing anything for me, and holes are really damn small, you'd have to have a REALLY sharp, thin needle.

I was replacing the battery in my HTC One S anyway (really easy, several YouTube videos and replacement battery had 50% more amps than original, HIGHLY RECOMMEND if you're even remotely handy), and as a part of that had to separate the silver case from the screen/guts of the phone. (trust me, it is so much easier than it sounds. tools and replacement battery cost me $11 including shipping) When you do that, you are able to look at both sides of those speaker holes that rest against your ear. If you hold it up to the light, you can actually see which ones are clogged, and brush from both sides. When you see sunlight through every hole, you're done.

Worked so well I had to turn down the volume WAY down.
 
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I had to chime in too... I still have my Note 2 (haven't seen anything worthwhile yet that would cause me to "upgrade"), but have been HATING the miniscule in-call volume.
However, this little toothbrush trick worked wonders. I just may keep this Note 2 with my extra memory cards and extra batteries for a little while longer!! :D:D:D
 
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Well I have been suffering with low in-call volume for a while now. This problem seemed to exist for me since the last ICS update. I was hoping JB may have fixed it but it didn't.

I tried volume + and many of the other potential fixes. Nothing seemed to help. I was thinking of getting rode of the One X. Then I recalled reading a post on here or over on XDA, can't remember, about cleaning the tiny speaker grill holes with a soft tooth brush. At the time thought, nah! My phone is really clean, if those holes where clogged I would be able to see it. So I dismissed that idea out right.

So here I was weeks later and the volume is no better. If I'm in a quiet room its manageable but any ambient noise at all and hearing the caller was a real struggle.

Last night I was browsing the forums to see if there had been any fixes for the low volume lately. Nothing, so I thought I had nothing to lose and got a soft toothbrush and gently scrubbed over the speaker holes. I wasn't expecting any difference because they looked perfectly clean to me.

WoW! What a difference. I can't believe how much difference that has really made. I have now uninstalled the volume + and have had to turn down the volume.

So to the guy who first suggested this fix, I apologise for dismissing the idea all those weeks ago and thanks to you I'm no longer thinking of getting rid of my trusty One X.
Well, I think I have found the "cure" for this low volume issue. While following the tip of cleaning the little holes of the ear grill. I used the suggestion of using a needle to clean out the holes. I accidentally lifted the plastic cover of the ear grills. It's a thin plastic cover and easy to remove with the needle. The adhesive is not like a super glue. I noticed that the ear piece had a thin screen over it. I pulled it off and notice that the ear piece area was clear. I also noticed the screen was saturated with oil. Probably from my own ear. Anyway, I did not place the screen back over the ear piece and I placed the plastic grill back. Now, no more volume problems. As a matter of fact, I've turned down the during a call. Good and thanks for the tips.
 
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I read this thread a week ago when volume became ridiculously low on calls. Tried the toothbrush without success and resorted to speaker phone while looking for a new cell.
Just stumbled onto what I think is a denture brush----two sections of bristles and the front section is longer and tapered to a "knife" edge. The taper fits my speaker slot quite well and a little back-and-forth worked wonders.

Thanks.
 
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