Open up the terminal and type in
aslamixer
That is the master control of all sound in and out. Use the tab key to select
volume and the up and down arrows to select levels. Talk into a mic or a pair of
head phones. Yes, head phone work as a mic when plug into the red circle on your
sound device. Speakers of any sound system will do the same. If you want to
record some on with out notice for example. You can turn your home speakers into
a mic.
Any ways. Keep on saying test or what every on your mind. Tell you hear it.
Of that does not work. There is other things we can trouble shoot.