I Think My iPod Jack Is Broken

Okay, so yesterday I could get the headphones in really easy, they went in as nice as you like. But I tried to put them in today and the headphones just won't go in. I've tried forcing the headphones in; that didn't work. So I looked down the hole/jack with a torch and I noticed that there is a strange looking circular piece of brown stuff in the bottom. I showed my dad but he just thinks that it's a piece if metal; whereas I think it's a buildup of lint or dirt or something. So I tried to pick it out with a paperclip and a tiny bit came out, But the rest of it is still in there. And upon closer inspection my dad noticed that the two connector/sensor metal pins were slightly bent. One is pointing slightly upwards while the other is downwards. Could this be the problem? My dad wanted to take the silver back off to check it but I wouldn't let him. I want to take it to and Apple store but I'm on holiday in Cornwall at the moment so I can't ( What a pain.. ) But my dad just said buy a new iPod because the repair would cost too much as I have had this iPod for 2 years and it is no longer under warranty. But I don't want a new iPod, I just want this one fixed. Can anybody please help me?