Seniors typically rely on smartphones with clear and audible volume and sound to stay connected with their families, friends, and healthcare providers. However, issues with low volume, muffled sound, or even missed calls can sometimes frustrate and confuse them.
That’s why we feel compelled to share a step-by-step guide that walks you through resolving common call audio issues on Android and iPhone devices with clear instructions, helpful tips, and suggested visuals.
Fixing Call Volume and Sound Issues on Android Phones.
Increase Call Volume During a Call.
Adjust the in-call volume to hear someone during a phone call if you struggle to hear the sound or voice.
First, locate the “Volume Up” button on the side of your phone and press it repeatedly until you get a comfortable audio level. A visual indicator shows he call volume rising.
Ensure the call is active to adjust the volume. Pressing the volume button before or after the call can change the ringtone or media volume, which may prevent you from hearing the person on the call.
- Press the volume up button on the side of the phone while you are on a call.
- Adjust the volume during the call, not before or after the call.
Adjust Sound Settings.
You can also adjust the overall sound settings on your phone if the call volume still isn’t loud enough after increasing it during a call.
These settings enable you to control different types of volume separately, including calls, alarms, notifications, and media like music or videos.
- Go to Settings > Sound & Vibration> Call volume.
- Ensure the volume slider is at an appropriate level.
- You Media, Alarm, and Notification.
Check Do Not Disturb Mode.
Enabling “Do Not Disturb or Silent Mode” on your Android phone prevents it from ringing or reduces the call volume, which may confuse.
Check if you haven’t accidentally left these features enabled, which can silence notifications and calls; if so, turn them off.
- Open the Settings app on your Android device.
- Tap “Notifications” or “Sound & Vibration” on some models.
- Select “Do Not Disturb” and toggle it to the “Off” position.
You can also swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Settings panel. Tap the speaker or bell icon if it’s crossed out and turn Silent Mode off.
Turn Off Bluetooth to Avoid Sound Routing Issues.
Your phone can automatically connect to wireless earbuds, Bluetooth hearing aids, or a speaker without your knowledge and prevent you from hearing calls because the system routes the sound to an external device.
Still, you can turn off Bluetooth if it’s not necessary:
- Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the Quick Settings panel.
- Check if the active Bluetooth icon, denoted by a “B” with triangles, is highlighted or colored.
- Tap the “B” icon once to turn it off, disconnecting your phone from any Bluetooth devices so that call audio plays through the phone itself.
Use Speaker Mode for Clearer, Louder Calls.
Switching to Speaker Mode when you can’t hear the person on the other end of the line properly can make a big difference, so don’t miss out on using this feature.
The Speaker Mode enables sound to come through your phone’s loudspeaker instead of the small earpiece, allowing you to hear more clearly, especially in quiet rooms or when you need to go hands-free.
Here’s how to turn on Speaker Mode during a phone call:
- Make or answer a call as usual and activate it.
- Check the Mute, Keypad, and Speaker icon options on your screen.
- Tap the “Speaker” icon, which resembles a small loudspeaker.
A Speaker Mode icon highlights or changes color, enabling you to hear the other person through the phone’s external speaker. Tap the Speaker icon at any time to return to regular mode.
Restarting Your Device.
Restarting your phone for a quick reset also helps resolve minor sound issues, allowing it to work correctly again.
- Press and hold the Power button on the right side of your phone.
- Tap “Restart” on the screen that appears, and wait for your phone to turn off and then turn back on by itself.
Accessibility Options.
Accessibility features also help to improve the Call Sound if you still can’t hear clearly, so try them.
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Hearing Enhancements to enable helpful tools, such as:
- Mono Audio, which plays the same sound in both ears.
- Sound Amplifier boosts quiet sounds and reduces background noise when using headphones.
These features enhance voice quality on your Android phones during calls, improving hearing and understanding, and facilitating better communication with others.
Fixing Call Volume and Sound Issues on iPhone.
Increase In-Call Volume.
Press the volume up button on the left side of your iPhone while you are on a call if the sound is too low to hear the person you’re talking to.
Do this during the call, not before or after, to increase call volume specifically as suggested for an Android phone.
Check Silent and Focus Modes.
Your iPhone can silence calls without you realizing it.
- Check the small switch on its left side, above the volume buttons, to see if it is in Silent Mode (indicated by an orange light).
- Flip the switch to turn the sound back on.
You can also go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb and turn it off to improve hearing.
Turn Off Bluetooth.
Swipe down from the top-right corner to open the Control Center and turn off Bluetooth if your calls are going to another device, such as old AirPods.
Switching off the Bluetooth icon enables sound to come through your phone, instead of a headset or wireless speaker.
Speaker Area Cleaning.
Dust or dirt can block the sound, so gently wipe the speaker at the top and bottom of the phone with a soft, dry cloth.
Clean and dry soft brushes also help to remove lint from the tiny holes, but use these tools carefully to avoid damaging your phone’s microsensors.
Accessibility Features.
iPhone’s accessibility features help improve call sound if you can’t hear people clearly during phone calls.
- Open your Settings app, scroll down, and tap accessibility.
- Tap the hearing devices and turn on “Phone Noise Cancellation.”
This feature reduces background noise when you hold the phone to your ear, thereby improving your hearing experience.
You can also tap “Live Listen” on AirPods or hearing aids to pick up nearby sounds and send them directly to your compatible hearing aid or AirPods, such as a mini hearing amplifier.
Reset All Settings (Last Resort).
You can reset all iPhone settings without deleting your apps, messages, or photos if none of these fixes help resolve the issues.
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.
This process restores your iPhone’s default settings, such as sound, display, and network, without deleting or damaging your data.
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.
- This resets all system settings but keeps your data intact.
Common Mistakes to Avoid.
- Accidentally turning the volume down with a cheek or a hand during calls.
- Sound routed to the car speaker or disconnected Bluetooth device.
- Using a thick phone case that blocks the microphone or speaker.
- Tapping the mute button accidentally during a call.
Accessibility & Hearing Enhancements for Seniors.
- Hearing Aid Compatibility: Enable this setting under accessibility options.
- Live Listen (iPhone): Streams sound from the phone’s mic to hearing aids or AirPods.
- Sound Amplifier (Android): Amplifies sound via connected headphones.
- Use Speakerphone: Often clearer than earpiece audio.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Why Can’t I hear the other person without speakerphone?
Check if the low in-call volume or debris is blocking the earpiece speaker, and gently clean the speaker area to remove any dirt that may be present.
What should I do if my phone shows it’s ringing, but I can’t hear any sound?
Check if your phone isn’t set to “Silent Mode” or “Do Not Disturb settings”, or if you haven’t accidentally turned off the ringtone volume.
How can I increase the volume for people hard of hearing?
The Accessibility settings allow you to enable hearing support options, such as mono audio, volume boost, or sound amplifiers.
Why does my phone keep connecting to Bluetooth while I don’t want it to?
Try these tips to sort out the issue:
- Unpair any old devices by going to Settings > Bluetooth.
- Or turn off Bluetooth when you are not using it.
Are volume booster apps safe to use?
Volume booster apps help improve your phone’s sound if the built-in volume isn’t loud enough, but some apps may be unsafe. To protect your phone and personal information:
- Download apps from trusted sources such as the Google Play Store (for Android) or Apple App Store (for iPhone).
- Check users’ ratings and reviews of apps before installing the ones you choose.
- Volume apps should only require audio or speaker access, so avoid requesting too many permissions (such as access to your contacts, camera, or messages).
- Be cautious with free apps that display excessive ads with unsafe links.
Printable Quick Checklist
- ✅ Increase volume during a call.
- ✅ Check Do Not Disturb & Silent Mode.
- ✅ Turn off Bluetooth if the sound is routed incorrectly.
- ✅ Use Speaker mode for clarity.
- ✅ Clean the speaker and microphone area.
- ✅ Explore hearing accessibility features.
Final Thoughts.
We hope this guide will help seniors and their caregivers quickly troubleshoot and resolve common audio issues on both Android and iPhone devices, thereby avoiding sound and volume problems.
You can also ask a trusted person or visit a local phone technician if you continue to experience issues. Our beginner’s guide to using smartphones can also be helpful, so ensure to check it out.