Hi GramGramBonnie,
Thanks for posting about the issue you're experiencing with your AirPods. It sounds like you're having some issues with audio quality when you use them on a call. We'll be glad to see how we can help.
This link has steps you can use to switch between the left and right microphones on your AirPods. As a test, try switching and test both to see if the issue occurs with both microphones. That would help in narrowing this down: Adjust the settings of your AirPods
"Open the AirPods Case, then go to Settings > Bluetooth on your iOS or iPadOS device. Tap the information button
next to your AirPods in the list of devices."
There's a microphone in each AirPod, so you can make phone calls and use Siri. By default, Microphone is set to Automatic, so that either of your AirPods can act as the microphone. If you're using only one AirPod, that AirPod will be the microphone."
If you get the same result with both microphones, we recommend opening this link and trying the suggestions there next: If the sound from your wireless headphones cuts out or is distorted
Let us know if that helps with the issue.
Best wishes.