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Output stereo as mono in OS X

When using only one earbud, you may miss parts of songs and other audio, but mono output will prevent this.


Mono output settings in OS X
Check this box to output audio as mono, so all sounds can be heard through one earpiece. Screenshot by Topher Kessler/CNET

You can avoid this by setting your Mac to use Mono output. This will combine all audio channels into one, so all parts of an audio file will be heard, regardless of the settings of your audio player, music files, and speaker setup in the OS.

To do this, go to the Universal Access or "Accessibility" system preferences. In the audio section you will have an option to play stereo audio as mono. Check this box, and your audio will now come out as mono on any attached speaker or headphone system. For folks who use iPads and iPhones, this can be done by going to the General > Accessibility section of the iOS settings and enabling Mono Audio in the Hearing section.

Just remember when you use both headphones again to uncheck this option so you can have proper stereo output.
