Thank you for your response Kevin. I just tried your suggestion with no change in audible sound. I've also updated my operating system and have my volume up completely when I talk.
The speaker phone does work which is the only way I can talk on the phone.
The severe problem began over the past month or so. It was getting worse and I thought it was because we moved to a new area or other people's phone, but its my phone that not working properly. I am not aware of the phone getting wet but I know it can through perspiration and humidity (which we recently moved to the ocean from an arid climate).
The situation is no longer acceptable to use a speaker phone to talk. I have insurance I pay each month. Shall I file a claim?