I got my headset when the 360 launched and even though everyone says how awful it is I've never had one problem with my headset until recently. I can still talk in the headset with no problems but I can't hear anything at all. I have to set it to hear through the TV so I can hear the people I talk to. Every once and a while I can hear a few words or so through the headset but it's mostly not working anymore.

Does anyone know a way to fix this or will I just need to buy a new headset?

And what headset is the best one to buy?

Best to just buy a new headset. I have a wireless one, it picks up a lot better, has a decent battery life, and is worth the cash. I've had it since September (got the Halo 3 version, same as the regular anyway). My recommendation therefore would be to get the wireless headset; the only real problem is later in it's life it will have random disconnects more often -- not too big of a deal.

are you sure the volume isn't down?

"are you sure the volume isn't down?"

  I would advise toward getting a new headset, as well. The wireless ones are just better, the sound quality's better, you don't hear peoples' breathing when they use them, and you can hear clearer as well. And when they say their "P"s, it doesn't sound like they're going at your ear with a drill....

  Not to mention the fact that you look like less of a prick when you're wearing it.

Yeah the wired ones seem to break. I went through a few until I got a wireless.

Best bet is just get a new one. They are pretty cheap anyways.

Mines doing exactly the same, I'm going to get a new one.
The wire for the headset must be torn or something, because whenever i bend it in a certain way it works again.

Get a wireless one, the biggest problem with wired ones is that the wire can become loose which causes problems like yours.

Sounds like the problem I had, I overexerted the wire connected to the piece that controls the volume. I kept pushing it in and moving it around till it reconnected. But it's less of a hassle to just get a wireless one.

Might look  into a wireless one then. They sound hassle free

"ArchScabby said:

"are you sure the volume isn't down?"

That would be embarrassing."

My friend had that same problem. He just bought a new headset.

Seems like it is busted. Just buy a new one.