My Ipod randomly stops playing music?

While I'm playing a song, my Ipod may just stop playing music. Its an Ipod Touch 3rd Gen 32 GB MC model. When it does stop playing, the volume control just disappears and it won't reappear, unless I respring. Therefore, it is unable to produce any sound from earphones, portable speakers, or its internal speakers. This just started a little while ago and I don't know what to expect, or how to permanently solve it. I am desperately trying to avoid "restoring" it, since I have done that three times in the past. Wat do?