Aria earpiece speaker issues - HELP!

[mr72]

OK, so my earpiece speaker quit working most of the time. I figured it was just a broken part, and I ordered another one. However, when the new one got here, I discovered that it required removing the screen to replace it, and also requires that tri-wing screwdriver that nobody has, so I put that job on the back burner.

Then I discovered that with the call in Speaker mode, I can hear just fine.

So, it appears the earpiece speaker is not actually broken, right? I can hear it when the phone is in speaker mode (although it's real loud... lowest volume is still louder than the loudest normal earpiece volume). So that speaker MUST be working, if I can hear it... but just not working when not in speaker mode.

In that case, does this indicate something software-fixable with the earpiece speaker?

And more on point: is there any way to force the phone to always or by default answer and make calls in speaker mode?

 

[drumist]

When the phone is in 'speaker phone' mode, the sound is coming out of the speaker on the BACK of the phone (next to the camera), not the earpiece speaker. So if you are hearing sound just fine from the speaker on the back of the phone, that would just confirm that the problem is in fact the earpiece speaker.

 

[ddxv]

I've had this problem too with putting the speaker in. It took a bunch of tries to realize that you really need to make sure the speaker snaps up in there and remains tight when you put the phone back together, if it slips out a bit it wont work.

Also, it's kinda hard to figure out if you've put it in upside down, so try flipping it a couple times to see what works. Look at the dust marks for evidence of how it was originally in there.

Best of Luck!

 

[mr72]

When the phone is in 'speaker phone' mode, the sound is coming out of the speaker on the BACK of the phone (next to the camera), not the earpiece speaker. So if you are hearing sound just fine from the speaker on the back of the phone, that would just confirm that the problem is in fact the earpiece speaker.

Maybe on YOUR phone, but on MY phone, the sound is coming from BOTH the speaker on the back, AND the earpiece speaker.

I mean, I guess it is remotely possible that somehow the sound coming form the rear speaker manages to make its way to the cavity where the earpiece speaker is and sound perfect, crystal-clear, and just like the earpiece speaker should sound. I find it unlikely, but it's possible, I suppose. I don't know any way to tell.

I found an app that will put the phone in default-to-speakerphone mode (Car Mode). This works kind of ok, but the problem is that plugging in a headset doesn't override it. Of course the whole purpose of this app is to keep it from going into headset mode when you plug something into the headphone jack. I just need to have the phone simply turn on the "speakerphone" speaker when I answer or place calls in normal mode.

 

[drumist]

I mean, I guess it is remotely possible that somehow the sound coming form the rear speaker manages to make its way to the cavity where the earpiece speaker is and sound perfect, crystal-clear, and just like the earpiece speaker should sound. I find it unlikely, but it's possible, I suppose. I don't know any way to tell.

I agree that it's difficult to tell, but that must be what's happening. The two speakers are just half an inch apart and are only separated by a few internal components that do little to muffle sound. I don't think it's unusual that the sound would be clear when putting your ear to the front top of the phone. I definitely admit though that it's difficult to verify this -- I was trying to find an app that could play a sound directly to individual speakers one at a time but I couldn't find anything.

But, even if we assume that you're correct and the earpiece speaker works, that doesn't really leave you with many options. If it's a software issue, then you should do a Nandroid backup and then try doing a 100% clean install to see if the problem disappears or not. If it doesn't, then it must be a hardware issue. If the hardware issue isn't a matter of simply replacing the earpiece speaker, then it's not something you would be able to fix anyway.

 

[mr72]

If the hardware issue isn't a matter of simply replacing the earpiece speaker, then it's not something you would be able to fix anyway.

I imagine replacing the earpiece speaker would probably fix it.

However, it's just too risky for me to have to remove the screen and digitizer in order to replace the speaker, when I have a workaround that is working.

Anyone know of a way to replace the speaker without removing the screen/digitizer?