Chosen Solution

I can advance songs and pause music from the remote earbuds, but the +/- button does not adjust the volume

They could be dirty- soaking isopropyl alcohol or spraying compressed air might do the trick

Just open the cover of the remote and adjust the position of the metal piece inside. I did it on my iPod shuffle 3rd gen earphone(without mic) and it works well again. But I doubt that would it be more complicated when you do it on the earphone with mic.