Help Poor sound quality (among other things)

[vanderloo5]

My Droid Charge is slowly fading into the abyss. After months of poor battery life, the phone functions are becoming slower and slower, and now the last 3 people I've talked to say they can barely hear me. I sound muffled. Had to call them back on my land line.
The sound quality has always been poor anyway. As soon as I got the charge I noticed everyone sounded like they were in an echo chamber.
Considering a re-format for all other issues, (and a new battery), but hoping someone can shoot me a quick fix for the muffled sound.
Thanks