Yes, it still happens in safe mode. It also is very quiet when I make a call on Facebook messenger, so maybe something is wrong with the earpiece speaker
I cleaned the cache partition but still it doesn't sound any better. I don't see any lint or debris in the earpiece speaker. I even took off my case to see if that had something to do with it but still no change.
I have a Samsung Galaxy Note 8. I can hear them fine in speakerphone and a headset. It's only when I actually have the phone up to my ear that it's very quiet.