Change Audio settings for accessibility on Mac
On your Mac, use Audio settings to customise audio so it sounds best to your ears — play stereo sound as mono, turn Spatial Audio on or off, boost certain frequencies or soft sounds, and set other accessibility options for your headphones.
To change these settings, choose Apple menu 
in the sidebar, then click Audio. (You may need to scroll down.)
General
Option | Description |
|---|---|
Flash the screen when an alert sound occurs | Make your screen flash when you receive an alert. |
Play stereo audio as mono | Make your Mac play stereo audio tracks as mono audio in the left and right speakers or headphones. |
Spatial audio follows head movements | When you watch or listen to content that supports Spatial Audio on your Mac, the audio automatically adjusts as you move your head. A sound that seemed to be behind you may seem like it’s beside you when you turn your head. This option is on by default. If you have difficulty controlling head movements or it’s uncomfortable to have sounds seem to change location as you move your head, turn the setting off. You’re still listening to Spatial Audio, but the apparent location of sounds doesn’t change. Note: This option is available only on Mac computers with Apple silicon when supported headphones are paired with your Mac. Spatial Audio is available with AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro (all generations) and AirPods Max. |
Your AirPods or other compatible headphones
If you have more than one pair of compatible headphones paired with your Mac, click 
next to its name to set options for that pair.
Note: The available options vary based on the model of headphones paired with your Mac.
Option | Description |
|---|---|
Press speed | When an action requires pressing the buttons, force sensor or Touch control on your headphones multiple times, adjust how quickly you must press before the action occurs. |
Press and hold duration | Adjust the duration required to press and hold the buttons, force sensor or Touch control on your headphones before an action occurs. |
Noise cancellation with one earbud | Allow noise cancellation mode when you’re only wearing one earbud. |
Tone volume | Adjust the volume of the sound effects, such as low battery alerts, played by your headphones. |
Background Sounds
Option | Description |
|---|---|
Background sounds | Turn background sounds on or off. See Play background sounds. |
Background sound | Choose which background sound — such as Rain or Balanced Noise — to play. |
Background sounds volume | Adjust the volume of the background sound. |
Turn off background sounds when your Mac is not in use | Automatically turn off background sounds when your Mac is in sleep, the screen saver is on or the screen is locked. |
Sound Settings | Adjust the system volume, select a different sound input or output device, and more. See Change Sound settings. |
Headphone Accommodations
Option | Description |
|---|---|
Headphone Accommodations | You can use Headphone Accommodations to amplify soft sounds and adjust certain frequencies to best suit your hearing. See Use Headphone Accommodations. Note: Headphone Accommodations works with supported Apple and Beats headphones. For a list of supported headphones, see the Apple Support article Customise headphone audio levels on your iPhone or iPad. |
Custom Audio Setup | With some supported headphones, you can use Headphone Accommodations to personalise your headphone audio based on what sounds good to you. Click Custom Audio Set-Up, then follow the on-screen instructions. |
Tune audio for | Click the pop-up menu, then choose an option to boost different frequencies.
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Optimisation | Drag the slider to set an amplification level for soft sounds. |
Apply with |
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