yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] Lauski:
I've had numerous people say I sound "distant", "muffled" or "very quiet" from time to time. It doesn't happen a lot and has been hard to track down. I now know it's not location, or signal related. The "pinky finger over mic" idea is brilliant, but I've been holding my phone with as minimal contact as possible since reading about the signal deathgrip issue to rule that one out too.

I even just called HTC on my ONE to report the problem and it started doing it. The girl couldn't believe what she was hearing.

Unfortunately, they couldn't replicate it in their offices immediately.

After some thinking, I can reproduce this problem any time now and wanted to see if anyone else could as well.

I think it is related to the dynamic MIC gain not resetting quickly enough, if at all.

Call someone and just start talking normally for a few sentences.

Turn the phone so the bottom edge (where the microUSB + MIC are) are pointing straight towards your mouth.

Speak a couple more sentences. (You may need to get it close to your mouth, you may need to speak slightly elevated to trigger the issue... But don't SCREAM AT THE PHONE; it seems to be smart enough to not be affected by this)

Revert phone to normal talking position and continue conversation.

When I do this... the other person cannot hear or make out what I'm saying for 10-15 seconds. Now obviously this seems stupid right? Who talks this way? Well, how do you talk to someone when you're looking something up on your phone during a call?

The real gotcha is that it happens to me when I'm just in a plain conversation. My thinking on that is maybe I coughed, or laughed loudly for a sec, or just accidentally moved the phone closer than I should have since I don't tend to sit like a statue when I'm in a call.

Let me know what you get, hopefully I can rule out personal phone defect vs. issue for HTC to look into for all of us.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] k000:
Dude... you might have hit the nail on the head. I have exact same feedback from people.. they say "Are you there..? Can you ehar me.. " all of a sudden in the middle of a conversation. I will try this now with someone I know.. me being on the HTC One.

This is the ONLY thing bugging me. Hopefully I can replicate this.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] drbadass:
This was basically my theory in the thread I started in General. I have a feeling that it is over-aggressive in its low-cut trying to get rid of background noise. So far since I swapped phones yesterday, I haven't had any complaints. I had a DEFINITE issue and it wasn't the pinky for me either.

Wonder if it's something that can be fixed in software.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] Lauski:
I'm glad it's not just me! It's frustrating especially during business calls, or conversations with older family members. Times when you really really need the phone to just work.

I've used Google Voice on another phone to call into and have made perfect MP3 recordings of this problem and already sent them to HTC. I can trigger this issue now on demand no problem by doing the above.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] Lauski:
Excellent characterization of it, perhaps even badass, if I may. ;)

Let me know if you still have the problem on your new phone by doing my test above with someone when you can. It's so easy to do. Just have a conversation and in the middle of it, turn the bottom mic to your mouth and talk just a little more loudly... then resume conversation. Guaranteed issue here on my phone.

And like I said, for anyone else passing by this thread... I know I'm sort of forcing the phone to have an issue by doing this, but it's just an easy way to show what has been happening to those of us with the problem during normal day-to-day conversations.

Once it happens, the louder you talk actually will make it worse. My only cure is to be silent and wait for it to "cool off" the processing it is doing. Again, not easy to do if your recipient isn't understanding.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] x714x:
I get the same comments from people too. They say it sounds like I talk away from the phone randomly, or cant hear what I am saying correctly. Funny thing is that when I was force roaming on verizon I never had one complaint about that. The first phone call after switching back to a sprint prl I had that complaint. So who knows :P
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] junpei1337:
Ihave been having this problem as well. Was thinking about trying to exchange phone, but I was wondering if you ha e heard anything from HTC after reporting the issue
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] Lauski:
I've sent them three audio samples to a special email they gave me for one of their upper tiers who wanted to look at this case specifically.

I'm able to make it happen with excellent signal, etc. and can do it every time now just by temporarily talking a little louder by turning the MIC towards my mouth.

No HTC response as of yet. Recordings were sent in 3 days ago. I'll update here as we move forward.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] x714x:
Please do update us! If its a hardware issue that cant be fixed via software I guess I will just wait a while when they switch out their mics then exchange it :good:
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] nhutpham:
Any updates Lauski?
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] Lauski:
Nada thing yet. I can still do it on demand no problem and still have people occasionally tell me they suddenly can't hear me.

I just called to check up and was told that I in fact, will be getting a call from the escalation team soon according to the notes on the ticket and they'll talk to me about my findings and may ask me to reproduce it on the fly. Obviously, I'll provide all info I learn back here.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] nhutpham:
I see...my 14 day return period was ending so I'm gonna just exchange the phone. I bought online so shipping is a bit of an ordeal.

Question, are you using an Airave by any chance? I make most of my calls off one, and haven't noticed the problem outside of using it with the Airave - altho it is a much smaller sample size. I'm wondering if this has anything to do with it. I'm also usually on WiFi when this happens.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] Lauski:
Never been on an airave. I've tried in 3G areas, 4G areas, with WIFI on, with WIFI off, toggling between CDMA only and CDMA/LTE. I've had the issue in varying degrees of excellent signal and just average. I can also produce the effect (although it's not as drastic) with just using the voice recorder app.

Not that all of these make a difference, but just trying to be helpful so you know my exact situation. Let me know if after exchanging you see any improvement! I assume you're able to reproduce what I've done above with your current phone?
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] Lauski:
Update: Disappointing so far. I didn't get a call from the tech, but spoke to someone else after I received notification in an HTC Ticket. The new rep asked lots of questions, some relating to the problem, some not... he said he'd talk to the other tech (to whom I sent my audio samples) and would get back to me.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] Felnarion:
Erick_HTC is doing a Q&A on reddit later today, might be worth shooting it to him, he has gotten some answers for people in the past.

http://www.reddit.com/r/htcone/comments/1ebx9a/reminder_chat_today_in_5_hours_for_htc_one_support/

EDIT: Got you some visibility from him.

http://www.reddit.com/r/htcone/comm...be_answering_your_questions/c9yx5d4?context=3

As you can see, he says he and some of the guys up there are going to sit down and try to recreate the problem based on your description here. Hoping it works.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] P_M_G:
Not sure if my issue is related, but randomly on a call, usually a couple minutes in, I start getting severely choppy audio both in and out like nearly every other word is being dropped. This has happened while on a Airrave, in my car, and just standing in a parking lot.

I'm not seeing others with this exact issue but maybe someone can chime in as well? Might be I just got a lemon from a launch day pickup.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] Lauski:
That's awesome, thank you, I had missed it.

To update everyone else on this thread, we're moving along and I sent them audio samples recorded from the other person's end (recipient).

Seems like we are beginning to lean towards the noise cancellation mic on the back occasionally picking up your voice while in a call, and then the phone filtering your voice out, inadvertently thinking YOU are background noise. The frequency cut would make you sound far away, or like in a tunnel.

Makes sense and it may be randomly happening during a call when you switch ears, look something up on your phone, maybe turn your phone to let someone else speak with you on the phone for a moment, etc. and the mic on the back of the phone picks you up (these are personal theories).

My personal work around so far is to hold phone steady, don't move it, and talk very evenly (no changes in volume). Occasionally have people unable to hear me, but my satisfaction with the phone has gone up now that I can control the problem more.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] jpzsports:
I noticed muffled call quality as well and think it might be a defect. I noticed an issue also when I tried testing out the video quality and recorded a song playing from my stereo system. After recording it, I noticed almost all of the sound was on the left channel, and the right channel was almost non-existent. I uploaded the video to my computer to hear it and noticed the same issue - the left earphone was loud and clear, the right was very quiet.

Do those of you who have call quality issues also notice microphone issues during video recordings?
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] poosh2010:
I'm having the same problems.....call recipients complain of my voice going in and out. I originally thought it was a defective mic. However, when I tried to record my voice like jpzsports, both left and right channels produced clear sound. I've also tried covering both rear and front mics while recording my voice...the muffled sound only occurs when I cover the front mic (which would be expected).

I'm leaning towards lauski's theory. It does seem to be some type of defective noise cancellation software that chooses to actively cut out my voice. At least, that's the only thing that would make sense if the mic seems to be functioning properly.

Let me know if you guys figure anything else out!
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] gutrrob:
I can replicate the problem all the time by holding the phone with my shoulder instead of my hand. I thought it was my otterbox or I was blocking a Mic but I'm not...Hope a SW update fixes it.

Btw it's my left shoulder pressed against my ear.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] Lauski:
Updated OP everyone, great news, got a response that problem was confirmed and a fix is in the works!
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] x714x:
Thanxs for staying on them man, much appreciated :D
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] krayziecali:
been looking to see if this happened to other people, good to see a fix coming just got this phone too and this issue bugs the crap out of me but i still love this phone lol
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] abc50:
I just called HTC Technical Support. The lady told me that they are aware of microphone issues, but that the latest AT&T update (June 1st) was supposed to fix them.

We checked that I have the most updated version of the software, but the issue persists.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] ihavoc:
Just an FYI, I was having the issue mainly with the speakerphone feature. Everyone said I sounded distant and far away and really hard to hear. It turns out the problem was that my zagg skin on the back of the phone was covering the noise cancellation mic. I though the cut out was removed but it was not.

You can reproduce this by going on a call with speaker phone and cover the noise cancellation mic (on back of phone little hole on top right side) and people will have a hard time hearing you.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] opusheks:
Thank god I found this thread, I'm dealing with the same problems, but I'm on the non-branded version of the phone.

I must admit, the pinky theory is actually quite possibly the problem with my phone, but I will check it more thoroughly!

If indeed it is not this which is causing my problems, we might have the same issue with with several versions of the phone.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] Paleryder:
Ditto to all of this and ya dont bother exchanging the phone it is a software issue that hopefully will be fixed
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] sadonomic:
Was looking for an update on it and called HTC. They didn't know that the problem existed. Granted this could be something they're not able to see but the tech stated that I searched on their side for known issues related to it and couldn't find it.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] Lauski:
Well, I received multiple responses from two different techs as stated, but it's always best to describe the problem you're having in your own words and keep on HTC about it. The more people reporting it, the faster we'll get a fix. They do seem to listen.

I can't go 2-3 days using this phone before I'm reminded once AGAIN that it occasionally cuts out and the recipient can't hear me.

It's actually dreadful on business and important phone calls. :(
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] tfouto:
Does anyone with this problem using the new firmware 2.17?
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] 1AverageGuy:
I discovered that covering the noise-canceling microphone with my index finger during a call fixes the muffled sound for me.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] tfouto:
i am confused, there are people saying exactly the opposite. If they block the back microphone (hole) problems arise. If not everything works fine...
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] tatonka_hero:
I'm glad I'm not the only one having this problem. I think mine is caused by an echo in my mostly empty office, since that's where I have the most trouble with people being able to hear me. I have a feeling that the noise cancelling mic on the back cancels out my own voice due to the echo or something
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] rdwing:
I am also experiencing the issue the OP described/
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] 1AverageGuy:
For me, it's exactly the opposite. I have people tell me that they can't hear me, but once I cover the noise-cancelling mic, they can hear me. Covering the noise-cancelling mic may be the source of the issue for speakerphone; however, I typically do not use speakerphone.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] tfouto:
Now i am really confused :)
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] 1AverageGuy:
Sorry about that. I made a typo in that post. I meant to say that people can't hear me until I cover the mic.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] jwmccnn99:
People cant hear me

All of a sudden people cannot hear me when I am talking but everything is fine on speakerphone. After reading this thread I am going to try and cover the noise cancellation microphone. Just so I am correct, this is the little hole by the USB connector on the bottom of the phone?
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] BrianBaker:
Noise cancelation is on the back of the phone on the top right.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] jwmccnn99:
For the last 24 hours I have put my finger over the noise cancellation mic on the back of the phone and people can hear me. Some people say that I sound like I am in a phone booth but everyone can now hear me and I do not sound muffled or distant.

Does anyone know if this is a hardware issue with just this phone or a software issue that may be fixed in the future, I'm about to initiate a warranty exchange to get a new phone. I shouldn't have to put my finger in a certain place just to make a call on a phone that is less that 60 days old.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] coal686:
In the words of Steve Jobs: "You're holding it wrong." ;)

No one has mentioned having issues hearing me, so it might be your phone (although it seems to be a pervasive problem for some). Is your phone stock or are you running a custom ROM?
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] jwmccnn99:
hand histsGE

It's a stock phone and it has worked perfectly fine for 2 months, up until 3 days ago when people started telling me that they couldn't hear me. I started looking here and came across this thread and it seems that quite a few people are having this issue.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] jomiran:
I just purchased two HTC One phones for my household from T-Mobile, and they both suffer from this issue. Other than the Reddit link previously provided, is there a direct e-mail address I should use to inform the team at HTC? I know that they are aware of the issue, but I would like to add my voice to the trouble ticket.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] jwmccnn99:
I ended up taking my One to a service center to get looked at and the tech agreed that there was something wrong with the microphone, they replaced it under a warranty exchange. One week so far with the new phone and it has worked fine. We'll see if this issue re appears with the new phone.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] Lauski:
I used this to initiate it: http://www.htc.com/www/contact/email/

Like I said, they ended up calling me and I reproduced it for them live, and sent them recordings to a mailbox they gave me. Very helpful, so I'm hopeful.

I got excited when I saw our latest OTA updated voice, but got let down when I saw it was related to "HD Voice Quality", so ... probably not this issue yet...
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] Lauski:
Yeah I think it has to do with the noise cancelling mic picking up your voice and then considering it background sound.

Covering it could help (but maybe make you sound funny since you're losing the filtration of what actually IS background sound).

My theory is that it's fine for your voice to get picked up as background sound in the wrong mic on any phone, but the HTC One is too slow to "reset" -- this is why people can't hear me well for about 15-30 seconds once it gets tripped.

Our mics are the dual membrane "HDR" mics they spoke so highly of, that I LOVE for recording movies, but perhaps this additional feature gives sensitivity that needs to be better accounted for when using them in phone mode.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] Lauski:
Well, I tell you what boys and girls, my previous comment made me want to test this mini-OTA (1.31.651.2) to be certain, even though I wasn't expecting anything to change.

First series of testing (as described in my OP, by intentionally talking into the noise cancellation mic loudly) are unable to reproduce the problem any more. The phone now quickly seems to adjust the mic gain (only 1-2 seconds of being hard to hear, which I'd certainly consider acceptable).

I'm awaiting official word on the matter in my case file from HTC, to see if it did in fact include something to address this issue and will report back.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] Varekai:
I really hope they make some progress with this fix. Been having this issue with mine for a week, but I brushed it off to a bad rom flash. Now that I flashed a new version, and switched phones with my fiance who also has this phone and seeing exactly what it sounds like for myself, I looked it up and came across here. I rather not switch my phone out (due to being rooted s/off custom splash) and not wanting to redo everything even tho this phone has a few dings in the back. However I also can't not be able to use my phone as a phone either.
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] ms893:
I have the same problem since I bought the phone (without operator). When I shout over the mic, the problem disappears, but it's not an acceptable solution as I don't want to shout each time I have a call !

Update 4.2.2 hasn't solved it...

Build : 2.24.401.1 CL211355
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] Lauski:
Ah, so you're international, not Sprint if you're on 4.2.2?

I'm sad to hear you're still seeing the issue.

Follow-up and contact them to let them know your callers can't hear you from time to time on the phone with their newest OTA.

Let's keep on them and make sure we get a minor update out ASAP.

http://www.htc.com/www/contact/email/
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] snoozii:
I think something similar happened before on a HTC Arrive my friend had. It kept happening when I was on the phone with them so I started to tell them to tap the back of the phone in order to stop them from sounding muffled. Anyone want to try to see if that works as a temp fix for the ones who haven't gotten the ota yet?
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] ms893:
Yes (France), without operator.

No improvment after the update, but I didn't try to make a factory reset, I would like to know if someone test that and solve the problem first :)

If there is no solution, I will bring it to the shop fir maintenance...
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] Lauski:
Don't think factory reset will help, I've tried that for another issue, yet have always had this issue. And, as a note to update here... I'm still having the problem even with latest minor OTA from Sprint :(

Just had a caller tell me, "your phone is doing that thing again where I can't hear you" ...
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] HTC_Junglist:
I'm seeing same problem, HTC One, UK, EE Carrier, version 4.2.2

I can't go a single call without people asking me to speak up, or that I have a feint line.

Really annoying from an otherwise great phone from HTC again!
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] jomiran:
Received software update from T-Mobile with no noticeable improvement to the problem.

HTC One

Android 4.1.2

HTC Sense 5.0

Software rev. 1.27.531.11
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] Jostian:
my issue is the opposite (but simailar) people hear me ok but their voices fade out at times, then come back after 5 to 10 seconds, and then after a while the same thing happens again... and every now and a gain there is a faint popping sound, I have latest radio (HBoot 1.54, base 2.24, JB4.2.2), frustrating issue this...
[Sprint HTC One (M7)] MrZoth:
I have also been hit by the malfunctioning mic plague. It was extremely frustrating figuring out why every one was yelling at me on the other end. I called HTC and they suggested a factory reset, which I did. The problem persisted. I convinced them to repair it under warranty. i'll be getting it back thursday, I'll let ya'll know how it works. They claimed to have no knowledge of this issue, but were very quick to fix this particular problem. also, no loaner phones from sprint or htc sucks. paired with super slow repair and shipping times ( i rushed it to them at my expense as well) it means that i had to buy a ****ty trac-fone to use for 2 weeks. so far i'm out 80$ over this crap. Other than this debacle and sprints horrendous speeds in my area, I love the phone.