Headphones causing problems

[lillie]

I listen to music every day but lately when I plug in my headphones (Apple headphones) the phone doesn't recognize them and still plays thru the speaker.
I turn the phone off then back on a few times then it works fine.

Well today I had the same problem but when I turned my phone back on and plugged in the headphones, no sound plays at all from the speaker or the phone and when I try to play music via iTunes, the song will open then immediately close and go back to the iTunes menu.

And when the phone is in this state I cannot hear people talking on the recevier even though they can hear me.
I have to put the phone on speaker to talk.
This phone hasn't been dropped and I keep it in great condition-

Anyone know what I can do to fix this? Should I be looking for a replacement phone?

 

[iBarlow_ATL]

How old is the phone?

 

[bab2010]

The headphone slot on your phone is having some dust which is interferring with the sensor in it. When you push in your headphone and the open youtube app, the one on your springboard, now try to play a video. You are likely to get the sound out but not the images. If that's the case then it's the sensor of the slot giving troubles.