Can't hear caller/they can't hear me

Question

WARNING FOR ALL PRE OWNERS:
For the third time, I've experienced a problem with my Pre that I can answer or place a call, but the other end can't hear me, and I can't hear the other person.  This is a common problem with the Palm Pre.  It seems to be related to using the smartphoneearphone plug for a headset or to hook up external speakers to listen to music/podcasts.  My wife and I purchased Pre's on the second day after public release.  I used to love the phone for it's simplicity and functions, but yesterday I had to return to the Sprint store to have my 4th Pre replaced.  One had a different problem, but the other two had the same issue.  When I returned home from the Sprint store, I discovered my wife has the same problem (she's only on her 3rd phone, however).  Palm should really consider fixing the software/hardware problem--the Sprint store cannot repair on-site.  A replacement (reconditioned) phone must be shipped to the store, necessitating 2 trips per problem; a 30-min drive for me.  An alternate solution might be for Palm to put all its Pre owners on an automatic replacement cycle where the company automatically ships a replacement Pre to every own approximately every 6 - 8 weeks, since that seems to be the mean time between failures for this attractive appearing, but extremely poor quality, unreliable handset.  What good is it to have a smart phone that you can't use to hear/talk when making calls.  I've owned Palm 3-Com PDA devices since 1997, and Palm Treo 700s and 800WMs.  I've owned Palm stock for 4 years, but I'm telling you that when my 4th replacement phone (5th phone, counting my original purchase) arrives Tuesday, I'm immediately replacing it with a non-Palm phone and never buying another Palm product.  I am EXTREMELY disappointed. 

Answer 1

I'm reposting my reply to this issue in another thread, still very relevant to the situation at hand:
TreoAide wrote in this thread:
This is an issue that has been addressed previously, at least two other webOS threads and likely numerous palmOS and WinMo threads also:
http://forums.palm.com/t5/webOS-Software/HUGE-BUG-Pre-stuck-on-headphone-mode-help/m-p/244772
http://forums.palm.com/t5/webOS-Software/Speaker-not-working-after-unplugging-headphone/m-p/297152
This is something that nearly every manufacturer of portable devices deals with to one extent or another. Pocket lint and debris find their way into the headset jack and cause the device to permanently assume a headset is connected.
The only way to fix this is by cleaning out the headset jack. Either by inserting/removing a headset connector repeatedly, or as suggested in this support article: "Unplug the headset if it is plugged in. Blow into the headset jack to clear out any debris. Firmly plug in the headset."
HOWEVER if you choose to do that, I advise EXTREME caution, as you could accidentally get moisture into the jack, making the problem worse.
Our moderator tagz also made a suggestion in the first forum thread I referred to earlier, however again, use extreme caution when putting ANYTHING into the jack. Also, an earlier suggestion to have Pandora or some other music playing on the Pre while adjusting the jack provides good feedback for when the problem resolves.
One idea I've had and heard others suggest is a cover of some sort. Now, this would be an excellent opportunity for someone to make a lot of money with a headset cover designed for the Pre, but until then, try a Google search for "headset jack dust cover" and you'll see products made for other devices which should fit your Pre quite nicely.
Hope this helps,
TreoAide