Loss of sound (Hard-reset and restore does not work)

Question

Hi,
I loss all sounds on my iPad 2 (currently on iOS 7.04). This is the 2nd time I have had this issue (had it with an earlier iPad) and had to replace the previous one (out of warranty period).  Very frustrating as it is about the same time period after purchase.  Last time, it seemed like a repeated fault with the iPad and I cannot believe I have the same issue again on a different product.  It is an expensive way of having to re-buy every couple of years for no other reason.
It did not happen immediately after an update i.e. it does not appear to be "update" or iOS version-related. 
Anyone got any advice please?  The facts are as follows (and what I have tried).
When it happened?
I was in iMovie editing a movie when all sound went from the speaker.  It continued to work with earphones plugged in, but this is now intermittent.  I have no sound on the speaker at all except for when I click sounds on the menu and change the level of ringer alert (which works on the speakers).  This seems to tell me that it is a software problem.  I have no sound on any applications or internet video or music from iTunes.  I cannot survive on the earphones as they only work for a period of time and then they fail (until I take the jack out again when it works again for a period of time before the headphones fail again).
What have I tried?
a) Numerous hard resets
b) changing the side switch's position
c) changing in general settings the side switch settings from lock rotation to mute and back again (repeatedly and in reverse to see if it makes any difference)
d) resetting all settings - this made no difference
e) erase all content and settings - interestingly at the stage when it asked me if I wanted to restore from an iCloud account, it was making sounds (the keyboard clicks - which don't make a sound irrespective of the click setting currently) i.e. appeared to have resolved the issue and as soon as I restored my iCloud back-up, the sound went again.
I would be grateful for any suggestions.  This post also includes a recommendation to Apple on improving its product (relating to iCloud backups) as the ultimate solution should not be paying for a replacement for a software issue (to avoid losing all my data permanently).
My musings are that:
a) it is definitively a software issue (on account that the speakers work in certain situations only)
b) it appears to be that the software is corrupted in my iCloud back up
c) it is an issue that happens regularly and is an avoidable issue/cost to Apple's customers that needs to receive higher priority in being addressed as it is built in redundancy for a significant proportion of customers.  At the very least, iCloud backups should be capable of being restored in part - is there any way this could be done so we don't lose all of our notes, media etc if the final advice is to "start again".  How can it be right to lose all content because of an Apple system software issue?  I am pre-guessing this will be the final advice (if I don't want to pay for a replacement iPad)?
Please help me and all those others with the same avoidable software problem.
Thank you,
Peter

Answer 1

This is an iPad user to user forum, so you are not addressing Apple.
Try this  - Reset the iPad by holding down on the Sleep and Home buttons at the same time for about 10-15 seconds until the Apple Logo appears - ignore the red slider - let go of the buttons. (This is equivalent to rebooting your computer.)
Check your settings. The iPads have a small switch on the right edge. It can be used as a rotation lock to keep the screen from automatically reorienting itself as you move around, but you need to have the tablet’s settings configured properly. That same switch, right above the volume buttons, can also be set to function instead as a mute button to silence certain types of audio.
If the switch is set to work as a mute button, you can change its purpose to “screen-rotation lock” by tapping the Settings icon on the home screen. On the Settings screen, tap General on the left side, and on the right side of the screen flick down to “Use Side Switch to.” Tap to select Lock Rotation or Mute to set the button’s function. Even if you set the side switch for your preferred use, you can still mute the Mini or lock the screen. Just double-click the Home button, and when the panel of apps appears along the bottom edge of the screen, flick the row from left to right with your finger. Tap the icon on the far left side of the row to either lock the iPad’s screen or mute the iPad’s alerts, notifications and sound effects. Music, podcasts and video are not muted unless you turn the volume all the way down.
iPhone: Can't hear through the receiver or speakers
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1630
http://www.atreks.com/app-no-sound-on-ipad-4-%E2%80%93-what-to-do/
 Cheers, Tom