problem with earbuds

I have an I pod shuffle, and there is a problem with my earbuds. The button that controls the volume and changing the song. It doesn't work too well, in that i have to hold the ipod in a specific position and turn the plug for the buds in a highly specific manner in order for it to work. Has this ever happened to anyone, and if so, what did you do to remedy the situation. also, what could this problem indicate?