How to clean the ear speaker
- Brush the earpiece slot with a soft, dry toothbrush, moving side to side.
- Turn the media volume to maximum.
- Hold the phone upright with the earpiece tilted slightly down.
- Press Start in Ear speaker mode and let the 45 second sweep play.
- Make a test call to check the volume.
Does the sound reach the earpiece?
On most recent phones, yes. iPhones from the iPhone 7 onward and most Android phones with stereo speakers use the earpiece as the second loudspeaker, so media sound plays through it and this tool can vibrate it directly.
Some budget and older phones use the earpiece only for calls, and websites cannot switch audio to it. On those phones the vibration from the main speaker still travels through the phone body and helps a little, but brushing matters more.
Why the earpiece gets blocked so easily
The earpiece presses against your face and ear on every call. It collects skin oil, makeup, earwax and pocket lint, and its slot is narrow, so a small amount of dirt blocks a large share of the opening. Low call volume is the first sign. Cleaning it regularly keeps calls clear.