iPhone XS Max call/microphone issues (software issue?)

I have a iPhone Xs Max model #MT622LL/A running 15.6.1 (19G82). I have had this problem continually with previous software versions.

I did some research and it appears the phone has MULTIPLE microphones in order to reduce issues, but it isn't helping in my case. I have ran tests where I speak into the top, bottom, front, back, and sides of the phone to try and troubleshoot if it is one particular mic giving the issue, but there seems to be no change in quality.

The issue is best described as the microphone seems slow to realize I am talking. If I make a video, the first word(s) of every sentence is/are muted or garbled. If I use the speech-to-text feature, the first words are missed or misunderstood. If I pause too long between words, the word(s) after the pause will not come through.

I do not believe it is a microphone dirty/damaged/malfunctioning issue because if it were, then the microphone would not pick up CRYSTAL CLEAR all the words I say after the first. The microphone is impeccable and works perfectly if I speak rapidly enough for it to "keep listening". I have taken to making a little coughing noise before speech-to-text, which works around the issue and "preps the mic" for the words I want to record. But it is horrendous for phone calls, due to all the natural pauses in language. I become unintelligible.

I have also tested this with third party speakers via two bluetooth earbud sets. Both of these bluetooth sets work impeccably with other devices, but the exact same issue occurs as when I use them with the iPhone XS Max. Therefore logic says it's not a mic issue, but something going on with how the iPhone processes information from the various mics which have been tested and found to be working perfectly with other devices.

But other than updating with the latest software version, I don't know what I can do, and that doesn't seem to help.