When I saw this in the store it really impressed me. When I got home and took it out of the box I noticed that you had to hold it up to your ear to be able to hear it. There is a little tab on the back of the phone that you pull out to switch from display mode to user mode. I reinserted the tab, stuffed it in really good, and cut the excess off as close as I could get it so that is flush with the surface of the phone. This way, it doesn't come out. We've used this phone for several months this way and it hasn't slipped out yet (and it has taken a beating that's for sure) Now the phone plays as loudly as it did in the store and my daughter doesn't need to put it up to her ear to hear it. She's 10 months old now and LOVES this phone. She loves to use her index finger to press the buttons...the "0" button is her favorite. I understand the frustration about the sound but it's a great toy with this minor alteration.

It's also great for role playing with my daughter. I am able to get her to raise it up to her ear and "talk" to it. When the phone rings, I hold it up to my ear and Say "Hello? Is Gabby there?" and then I hand her the phone and she brings it up to her ear. It's so fun to play with her with this phone. Now when she sees a real phone she presses the buttons and brings it up to her ear.

This toy is *very* durable and has been dropped time and time again from up high and the fall does not phase it.