Mono Setting for iPod?

I recently lost all hearing in one ear due to brain surgery. What I would like to know is, if there is a hidden setting in my iPod that will play back all of my library in mono if so desired. I do not want to duplicate 50 or 60 gigs of music so that I can have mono when I wear an earbud, and stereo when I listen with my friends and family on a stereo system. Many classic recordings of the past have very distinct left/right pan, as do many contemporary recordings. A Spanish Language instructional CD that I recently purchased and uploaded to my iTunes, for use while traveling, is separated completely with the Spanish on the left side and English on the right.

If a setting such as this does not currently exist, is something that can be addressed in future versions of iTunes? Your help is much appreciated! I am sure that there are many, many other people in the world that would benefit greatly from this improvement.

PC, Windows XP, VAIO

Posted on Nov 21, 2008 4:49 PM

17 replies

Jan 13, 2009 4:59 AM in response to kimamey

I wonder if Apple have even thought about it though?

I have just looked at the RNID website and they estimate that there are over 9 million people with hearing difficulties (albeit of various types of deafness and hard of hearing) in the UK alone! So there must be many more millions throughout the world that would benefit from just a couple of simple amendments to the products.

It is very frustrating that such a simple resolution is difficult to come by.

Jan 15, 2009 2:02 PM in response to kimamey

I've just purchased a Nano and I am making do with the Maplin jack adaptor. I note what you say about the processing power required to change the balance, however, the Nano has an EQ feature where you can select acoustic, bass booster etc. If it can manage this, then surely it can change the balance too. After all, my mobile phone also has the EQ feature too so surely it can't be too difficult?

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Mono Setting for iPod?