Muffled sound from phone handset

[Clueless in Seattle]

First, I have to confess that this post is not about rotary phones.  So, if you know of a more appropriate web forum for me to post my query, I'd be grateful if you could point me there.

I have a couple of old corded land-line phones and the folks I talk to from these phones complain that the sound of my voice is weak and muffled.

My third phone doesn't have this problem.  It's looks like a Trimline style and says on the bottom, "Manufactured in Thailand by AT&T."  I can't find a model name or description on it anywhere.

All my phones are from yard sales (I'm a low-income disabled senior, so virtually everything I own is hand-me-down).

As I've gotten older and the symptoms of disabling chronic illness have gotten worse, I'm having more and more trouble getting out these days.  So I've come to depend more and more on my phones to keep in touch with the outside world.

I'd be grateful for advice on whether or not the poor sound quality from two of my phones is something that could be repaired.

Or if I might get by by replacing the handsets on them.

Or if I should just replace them.

If replacement is the way to go, then I'd appreciate advice on how to find a phone that produces adequate volume and a clear voice signal.

Because my phone has become so important to me as a kind of electronic lifeline, I figure it's worth it to spend what it takes to get a couple of high quality ones.  They needn't be touch-tone phones.

[AE_Collector]

If they are older phones that have transmitter and receiver caps that unscrew, remove the transmitter cap and then remove the capsule that is inside. Give it a couple of sharp raps on a table and put it back together and make a test call. This frequently improves the transmission from carbon transmitters.

Terry

[HarrySmith]

Hi and welcome to the forum!
We are not sticklers about only rotary phones, we like all kinds! Even those newfangled ones with those push button things
If Terry's suggestion does not work try swapping the handset & cord from one of the other phones.