I bought a 32GB 3rd-generation model iPod touch recently (it was delivered to me on Christmas actually), and I’ve already experienced an unusual problem with it. I was hoping the Millions could help me out. I checked Apple’s support page and read their recommendations, but my laptop needs to be connected to the internet to follow them, and that isn’t an option for at least a month.
The headphones that came with it have a volume rocker/mic/pause button on them, which you can also use to access Voice Control. It’s very handy to have the volume rocker there, in particular, because I’ve been keeping the iPod itself in my pocket and I can change the volume without having to dig the thing out. But the problem, which started a few days ago, is that the volume rocker and the mic have stopped working. The pause button still works, and if I hold it down it’ll bring up Voice Control like it’s supposed to, but the volume rocker doesn’t change the volume one way or the other mic doesn’t register anything. I tried recording a voice memo too, with no luck.
So have any of you experienced this problem?
Hi BomTek, I’m not an expert, but from what you’re saying, the problem is almost certainly with the headphones, not the iPod itself, so the solution is probably going to be cheaper than a new iPod. 
The microphone and the pause function use the same electrical contact, the one that is furthest from the tip. Because you are able to get the play/pause function to work, the contact inside the iPod is probably ok. The microphone might have gone bad, but that can be replaced, either with a new pair from from Apple, or with a cheap aftermarket pair like these: Link to monoprice.com
I have a cheap aftermarket pair (not the ones linked to) and they work well, but sometimes my case keeps the headphone plug from going all the way in. When that happens, I get sound but can’t play or pause the music. So if your iPod is in a case, it might be worth it to take it out of the case, plug in your headphones, and see if the mic works. It’s a long shot, but it won’t cost anything to try.
Thanks, Offkenter. I had considered that the problem was simply defective headphones, and since I plan on upgrading them anyway, I may have fixed the problem eventually without ever really doing anything. 
I’ll probably end up getting Apple’s higher-end headphones, but I’m also considering Ultimate Ears MetroFi 220vi (both about $90).