You're struggling to hear your video call participants. How can you improve your audio setup?

First and foremost if we are talking about just "hearing" the people on your call you need to: #1 Turn your volume up. #2 Wear Headphones, noise cancelling is a huge plus. #3 Make sure you are as close to the wi-fi as possible, or directly connected by ethernet if at all possible. #4 Turn off your video and ask your colleagues to do the same #5 Re-join the call. #6 If nothing else works, call-in (yes actually call someone on the phone, it still works for that)

Cardioid condenser mics work well for a natural sound, but placement matters most. Use a boom arm or stand to bring the mic within the proper distance of your mouth as specified by the manufacturer.

Voice isolation that is built into some computer operating systems can go a long way to reduce ambient sounds like the air-conditioning, furnace, or airplane overhead. This will give you more flexibility editing in post-production as well as most filters that remove them also alter your voice.

Use cabled headsets, and only headsets, for calls to ensure the best quality. In my experience, especially in professional settings like conferences or live streaming, wired headsets outperform their Bluetooth counterparts. They eliminate latency issues, ensuring that audio and video are perfectly synchronized. Plus, they offer a stable, uninterrupted connection, crucial for maintaining professionalism and engagement during calls. Trust me, switching to a wired headset can make a world of difference in communication clarity and reliability.

To optimize audio clarity during video calls, it is highly beneficial to utilize headphones or earphones instead of speakers. Speakers have the tendency to cause feedback and echo, which can hinder participants' ability to hear each other clearly. By opting for headphones or earphones, you can enhance audio quality by isolating the microphone from picking up sound emitted by the speakers.

A top-of-the-line mic in a poorly treated room will underperform relative to an average mic in a well-treated room. The number one thing is the wall behind your mic and your desktop — if both are hard surfaces they will reflect sound. Also, consider adding soft surfaces like area rugs or curtains to the room where practical. The fewer reflective areas and more prevalent absorbent areas there are, the less tiny and echoey your audio will be perceived.

Another important point is to remember to check the settings in the web conference software. The connected device is not always immediately associated as the main one. There are also options to optimize audio transmission and reduce noise, which can offer a much better experience when activated and properly adjusted.