LG VX-8350

I have a new 8350. It is not as good as the 6100 it replaced, but it is OK. Major problem: In the 6100 the speaker was in the lid, not the base. I could hold the phone securely and comfortably in my hand when I was using the speaker. With the 8350, the speaker is in the base. It doesn't seem like an intelligent design. Anyway, if I try to hold the phone securely and comfortably, the speaker is covered up. There is a horrible feedback that makes the speakerphone useless. I have also had complaints that I sound like I am at the end of a tunnel!
I spoke to a person at Verison about this and his solution was to use a headset! Not very helpful or rational. This defeats the purpose of having a speakerphone. Any suggestions?