Facing audio issues in FaceTime since iOS 18.4 update on iPhone 16 Pro Max

I’ve noticed my iPhone 16 pro max has audio issues, or should I say a complete lack of audio when receiving calls of messages from friends. FaceTime is my first issue. I receive a call on FaceTime but I only see a pop up and have no audio at all. It’s like a silent call. Sometimes I don’t even see the caller and I will miss the call due to there being no audio. My son often asks me why I didn’t answer him. Sometimes it takes a good ten seconds before the ringtone starts to play and I know I have a call. FaceTime doesn’t always open up full screen either. Sometimes it minimises itself and I still hear nothing.

Calls and messages are the same. I do not hear WhatsApp, or iMessages arrive 99% of the time. I have to then check my phone to make sure the volume is up or whether I’ve mistakenly set it to silent mode. I haven’t but still I check. I’ve reset my phone to factory and done a clean install, not from backup, which is a task in itself. This started after the 18.4 update and wasn’t fixed by 18.5.

I’m pretty sure my phone isn’t faulty but I can’t be 100% sure. Never dropped it or damaged it. It’s had less than 50 battery cycles.

Id appreciate any advice on what it might be that’s causing it.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]