Why does my Podcasts sound go low when I raise my iPhone?

I have turned OFF the Raise to Wake option in settings and it still does it. So I’m unclear what else to try.

It is an iPhone 12 mini. Up to date OS 17.4.2.

I’ve turned the phone off and on again.

Gone through so many settings..!

I think it’s just the Podcasts app but it could be video and music too, I just don’t do much else with audio besides podcasts.

I realise some podcasts are quieter than others, and that is frustrating enough, as I listen to podcasts while doing the dishes or cooking, and don’t want my AirPods falling from my ears into water or a pot..!

But any podcast goes quieter when I pick my phone up. If it did this briefly and went back to normal when I put it down or close down the screen, I could live with it. But no, it stays quiet for ages (and I haven’t yet found a pattern of when it takes the sound level back to normal). Very frustrating.

Kinda surprised I can’t find anyone else posting about this issue.