BB Bold :: 9650 Smartphone Sound Suddenly Went Off?

I own a Verzon provided 9650 smartphone version 6.0 v6. till yday, everything was working perfectly. Since yesterday, i noticed that my Sound is suddenly off. Basically, when someone calls me, even in my "Loud" profile setting (with nothing being on silent in that profile), I cannot hear the phone ring (as if it was set on Silent setting). i can see there is a call coming (just as Silent setting) but i cannot hear the phone ring. If I use the speakerphone icon on the keypad, even then i cannot hear the caller. If i play a stored video, in speakerphone mode, I cannot hear anything and the same result if i play stored music, Similarly, i can SEE my alarm go off, but cannot HEAR it at all. However, if i use a handsfree/headset, i can hear everything, i.e. i can hear the caller, i can hear the music, video, etc. in any mode i cannot hear at all.

I have hard re-booted the handset (i.e.rmeoved battery when the phone is in ON mode) a few times but to no good. Problem still persists. Any help or recommendation would be helpful. I am updated with all my softwares, etc. I dont download anything from the internet (not even music) but do browse the internet (basically 2 or 3 very-well visited news and sports websites like ESPN, etc.