Strange static noise from ear speaker with all apps closed

Placing my ear close to the ear speaker on my iPhone 12 Pro I hear a very light strange static noise. When I hit the side power button I hear a repeated 3 clicks along with the static, all my apps are closed, even does this in airplane mode.

I went to apple, they couldn’t hear as it was loud in the store. They ran tests and cleaned the speaker. I came home, still static noise is there. Checked family and friends iphone12 and seems to be happening only on mine.

Phone is unlocked due to travel outside the country.

iphone “expert” told me to check *#21# codes and for some reason it said “error performing request” “setting integration failed” and all calls/txts/etc are being forwarded.

I do have Verizon and don’t have an option to select call forwarding on/off.

I changed my iCloud pw. Checked for any linked devices (none)

Someone shed some light before I’m forced to format and reinstall, and even then..if I have a virus that mirrors, tracks, or controls my phone.. won’t it reinstall the virus?

Thanks!