uncle PP
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Q: Headset mic feedback / ambient noise during call

Whenever I use a headset with my iphone 4S, I can hear my own voice feeding back through my headphones.  I can hear ambient noise from my surroundings.  It is sometimes very difficult to hear the other person because of this issue.  I am on AT&T.

 

Using different headsets (including the headset that came with the iphone) does not solve the problem.  Swapping out my phone didn't solve it either.  I never had this issue with my 3G using the same headset.

 

The issue has been mentioned in other discussions/threads, but I started this thread exclusively to address this issue.  Do not confuse this issue with the "echo" issue that others have been complaining about.  In that case, the person on the other end of the call hears their voice echoing.  Also, do not confuse this issue with an intermittent echo that cycles around every 10 minutes or so.  This issue is ALWAYS present and cannot be fixed by turning the speakerphone on and off again.

 

I have tested over 20 iphone 4S's to date and they all have the same problem.  I have even tested some iphone 4 models that have the problem.  Everything I've tested was running some version of ios5.  I have not tested any iphone 4's running ios4.  So it may be software related.  The 3G and 3GS do not have this problem.

 

So far, the genius bar people that I consulted claimed to have never heard of the issue before.  Even after I showed them that every single iphone 4S that they had on display exhibited the same mic feedback loop problem, they denied it.  As far as I know, every iphone 4S in existance has this issue.  It is a massive flaw in the iphone 4S and I do not know why Apple has not addressed it by now.  Unless it is a harware problem, in which case they do not want to deal with the expensive recall costs.

 

If you are not sure whether or not you have the problem, make a call using a headset (apple or 3rd party), and either tap the mic or talk directly into it during the call.  If you hear the tapping or your own voice, something is wrong.  There is no reason for you to hear any audio that gets picked up by the headset mic on your end of the call!

 

Apple, shame on you.  FIX THIS!!!!!!!

iPhone 4S, iOS 5.0.1

Posted on Dec 8, 2011 3:46 PM

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uncle PP

Q: Headset mic feedback / ambient noise during call

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  • by Ghostwheel,

    Ghostwheel Ghostwheel Jan 3, 2012 10:38 PM in response to has2289
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    Jan 3, 2012 10:38 PM in response to has2289

    Glad to hear it, but when I use my Etymotic HF3 headphones on a friend's iPhone 4 with iOS 5.0.1 I get the sidetone ********. 

     

    has2289 wrote:

     

    Unfortunately I don't believe this is an issue specific to iOS 5, but rather specific to the iPhone 4S. My Etymotic hf3 headphones work just fine on an iPhone 4, running 5.0.1., the issue only happens on the iPhone 4S.     

  • by Resist,

    Resist Resist Jan 3, 2012 11:25 PM in response to uncle PP
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 3, 2012 11:25 PM in response to uncle PP

    Apparently I didn't understand the original post, sorry.  Excessive sidetone is not a good thing.  With a normal volume of sidetone, you really shouldn't even notice it. 

     

    When I think about it maybe cell phones don't need sidetone, as their physical design doesn't allow for the speaker to seal the ear like a normal telephone handset would.  Therefore, you're able to hear your own voice when talking.

  • by Resist,

    Resist Resist Jan 3, 2012 11:46 PM in response to Resist
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 3, 2012 11:46 PM in response to Resist

    I just found this on another forum: 

     

    Sidetone is usually eliminated from digital cell phones because unfortunately, digital encoding introduces a delay in transmission (usually lasting between 1/4 and 1/2 a second).  If the sidetone wasn't filtered out, you'd instead hear a delayed echo of yourself talking through the earpiece, which makes people VERY uncomfortable when they talk.

  • by has2289,

    has2289 has2289 Jan 4, 2012 4:46 AM in response to Ghostwheel
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 4, 2012 4:46 AM in response to Ghostwheel

    Hmmm, maybe I didn't test it enough. I can hear the feedback immediately with the HF3's. If I'm on the iPhone 4S as soon as the cell call starts (before you even hear the line ringing), I can hear noise, unlike with the Apple supplied headset, which is completely silent. That was the test I did on my friend's iPhone 4, I had a completely different result (completely silent with the hf3's on the iPhone 4).

  • by Beach40,

    Beach40 Beach40 Jan 14, 2012 3:44 PM in response to uncle PP
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 14, 2012 3:44 PM in response to uncle PP

    I have just discovered this thread after a fair bit of searching around.

     

    Does anyone know if there is any way to adjust sidetone in the iphone?

     

    If this is not supported by Apple, surely there is a tech type person that knows how to get into it?

  • by Resist,

    Resist Resist Jan 14, 2012 3:50 PM in response to Beach40
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 14, 2012 3:50 PM in response to Beach40

    As I understand it there is no way to adjust sidetone on the iPhone.  But then again, there's no way to adjust sidetone on landline telephones either.

  • by Beach40,

    Beach40 Beach40 Jan 14, 2012 4:20 PM in response to uncle PP
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 14, 2012 4:20 PM in response to uncle PP

    Thats a bugger. Maybe theres a way of getting into it and creating some adjustment? Maybe an app can be written?

     

    Landline phones not having sidetone adjustment is quite irrelevant in this context. (Although this can easily be achieved by adding a 4 wire box to the line. This is quite common in professional applications)

     

    iphones are very fast becoming a device for many, many applications. If I can find a way of using quality noise isolating headsets and also having sidetone adjustment, this would make the iphone a convenient device in a lot of circumstances.

  • by uncle PP,

    uncle PP uncle PP Jan 15, 2012 9:29 PM in response to Beach40
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 15, 2012 9:29 PM in response to Beach40

    Keep in mind, we still don't know for sure that this problem is actually caused by sidetone that was intentionally added.  It may be a software bug or hardware problem.  I was at the Apple store again today and tested all of the display models and they all had lots of ambient noise as soon as I press "talk" to make a call.  Interestingly, the 3GS that was on display did not have this problem at all.

     

    There was a theory that ios 5 is causing the problem.  I disproved that theory last night when I tested my cousin's iphone 4 running ios 4.3 and it also had the ambient noise problem.

     

    I just don't know what to do about this already.  I can't believe Apple has abandoned us with this horrible problem.  What on earth are they waiting for?

  • by Resist,

    Resist Resist Jan 15, 2012 10:03 PM in response to uncle PP
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 15, 2012 10:03 PM in response to uncle PP

    I never had ambient noise issue on my iphone 4 before or after iOS 5.  I checked another iPhone 4 in my household and it doesn't have any issues either.

  • by Beach40,

    Beach40 Beach40 Jan 15, 2012 10:18 PM in response to uncle PP
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 15, 2012 10:18 PM in response to uncle PP

    It would be great if the sidetone was adjustable. I'm sure this would be possible with a device as sophisticated as the iphone, its just a matter whether its possible in its current form or if its something Apple needs to look at.

     

    Anyone know how to really get inside these things?

  • by merchant0,

    merchant0 merchant0 Mar 2, 2012 7:49 AM in response to has2289
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 2, 2012 7:49 AM in response to has2289

    I have definitely the same problem. have the in-ear apple earphones with mic and also used iphone 3gs and 4 with it. this worked very fine. now it's ****. most of the time there's constant noise on the line, even before the call receiver has picked up the phone.

    Apple, please to something to stop that. I use this phone for business, so i can't have permanent noise on my conf-calls.

    when i mute the mic the noise stops and when i put on finger over the  2nd mic for noise cancellation, it normally gets better.

  • by Mary Sharon Cohen,

    Mary Sharon Cohen Mary Sharon Cohen Mar 10, 2012 5:16 AM in response to uncle PP
    Level 1 (11 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 10, 2012 5:16 AM in response to uncle PP

    So glad to read I'm not alone. (Etymotic headset with new 4S)

     

    So unglad to read there's no solution.

     

    All the same points as mentioned in thread:

     

    Noise starts as soon as I press Call.

     

    The noise is the sounds of the street around me. Or sound of TV when I'm home.

     

    Terrible distraction.

     

    I don't know if the people I am speaking to can hear it. (Should ask.)

     

    Never had it with first gen iPhone or 3G.

     

    I don't think I am hearing the sidetone in the Apple-supplied headset. But that may be because they don't sit as far into the ear canal.

  • by uncle PP,

    uncle PP uncle PP Mar 10, 2012 5:08 PM in response to uncle PP
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 10, 2012 5:08 PM in response to uncle PP

    I can't tell you how upset I am about this issue.  I've been struggling with the headset/noise thing for 5 months.  I've spoken with tech support, gone into multiple Apple stores, read and commented on several blogs.  I just can't believe that it has been this long and Apple has done NOTHING.  Not even an admision that there is a problem.  I wish I had returned the iphone 4S within the first month.  Apple is turning loyal customers into bitter customers.

  • by kimbrio,

    kimbrio kimbrio Apr 13, 2012 7:24 PM in response to uncle PP
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 13, 2012 7:24 PM in response to uncle PP

    I love the camera but soooooo discouraged about the headset noise thing. Just upgraded from a 3GS 3 weeks ago. Have have several conversations with Apple and Rogers, and got my phone and simm card replaced last week. The issue continues. My Klipsch headset which was awesome with my 3GS is a nightmare on the 4S. So much ambient noise in my head it drives me nuts! Tried my headset on a co-worker's 4 today and it has the same issue.

  • by fhisg,

    fhisg fhisg May 30, 2012 11:42 AM in response to uncle PP
    Level 1 (5 points)
    May 30, 2012 11:42 AM in response to uncle PP

    Got a nice reply from a Klipsch emplyoee when I asked in their forum: http://community.klipsch.com/forums/p/139895/1749489.aspx#1749489

    My S4i work great in 3GS but not in the 4S.

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