airpod volume low after 1 year

I bought my airpod when the launched, so they just passed the 1 year warranty.

in the last few weeks the sound has become very low if I put the airpods in as they were designed to be worn, wih the stems pointing down. If i rotate the airpods so the stems point forward and are parallel to ground they sound fine. Unfortunately in this position, if I do not get it just right, the sensors will indicate they are not in my ear and the playback will stop. So slight movement can stop playback. I have searched for answers online, some have suggested the airpods may have dirt and wax build up. I have cleaned them off, and it has no impact on the problem. I have read some posts online suggesting that I pull the screens out and run them over a flame to burn off all debris and then somehow reinsert them, which sounds ridiculous.

I find it hard to believe that a little dirt and earwax on the screens would cause almost a 90% drop in volume. I also find it odd that if I rotate the headphones I get clear typical sound. I was beginning to think that perhaps my ear canals have stretched after jamming these headphones in for a year, but then I took my old wired earpods and tried them and they sound fine and have essentially the same design.

I have tried repairing the airpods, I have checked to make sure the firmware is up to date, and everything checks out. I am guessing that since these airpods are about 2 weeks past the 1 year warranty that i am out of luck.

Any suggestions?