iPhone - no sound from earpiece

Yes, you can bring it into an Apple Store (you might want to make an appointment first, to save time in the store).

http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/

I started experiencing the same problem the other week and went in to see an Apple Genius this afternoon. Before you go, check the following:

1) Try changing the volume with no headset connected. Is the volume bar accompanied by the word 'Headset'?
2) If so, it's most likely a problem with the sensor that turns off the earpiece when a headset is connected. Some people have had success (a) blowing repeatedly into the connector and/or (b) rapidly insert and remove a 3.5mm headphone jack (no fewer than 10-12 times).
3) If no 'Headset' appears near the volume bar then it's most likely a problem with the speaker in the earpiece. Try resetting your phone. Make a backup first. By reading this post you waive all rights to sue me if you forget to back up your iPhone. =) Then restore it and see if that fixes the problem.

None of these steps helped me at the Apple store so the options given to me were:
1) replace my phone (8GB 2G) with a new (or possible refurbished one) for $200 (same as 8gb 3g version)
2) buy a new 3g (with the added bonus of having to renew my contract) for the same $200.

The Geniuses at Apple stores are not equipped to fix iPhones and are only allowed to replace them if necessary.

My phone is out of warranty, if you guys haven't already guessed. I'm going to try to live with my phone using my BT headset for the time being.

Hope this helps,
Jeff

if you don't have warranty you can just get it fixed at a professional repair store. i cracked the screen on my iPhone and had to get it fixed at Dr Cell Phone. luckily i'm from dallas so they just repaired it on the spot. but i think they have a mail-in service where you send your phone in and can get it repaired (i.e get the speaker replaced). good luck! you can do a google search to find the store

I want to confirm that I had the same problem. I tried all the options outlined without success. I finally did a restore followed by my latest backup. No change. I then tried another restore but this time set things up as a new phone. The earpiece worked.

Hey,

Try adjusting the volume with the headphones disconnected as jchowdown said.
If the iPhone shows (headphones) even though they are disconnected, there may be debris in the headphone jack.

If it does try the tips in this article: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1630

If that is not the issue, try resetting the iPhone by holding the Home and Sleep/Wake buttons until you see the Apple logo.

If the issue persists after ruling out debris in the headphone jack and resetting the iPhone, try restoring the iPhone and setting it up as a new phone. This article: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305744 will walk you through restoring the iPhone.

-Jason