# Patients' Perceptions of Sound and Noise Dimensions in the Dental Clinic Soundscape
## 3 Results  
A total of 134 questionnaires were completed, 55 from the department of dentistry and 79 from the four private practices over a 3-month period, from September 2023 to November 2023. Table 2 presents the demographic and clinical profile of the study's sample (N = 134). Females slightly outnumbered males (56.7% vs. 43.3%). Participants were mainly aged 20-30 years (24.6%) and 51-60 years (23.9%), with fewer over 60 years (12.7%). Educational backgrounds varied: 42.5% had secondary education, 17.9% had post-secondary education, and 39.6% held university degrees. Most attended private dental clinics with over two seats (32.1%). Therapy duration was evenly distributed across ranges: 1-3 months (20.9%), 4-8 months (26.9%), 9-12 months (26.9%), and 12 months or more (25.4%). Few reported hearing loss (4.5%). Noise sensitivity varied: somewhat sensitive (56.7%), not sensitive (25.4%), and sensitive/very sensitive (17.9%). Overall health status was moderate to good (M = 3.84, SD = 0.95). Perceived noise disturbance from patients/staff (M = 2.11, SD = 1.62) and machines (M = 2.28, SD = 0.92) was low in dental clinics. Participants waiting for dental appointments preferred relaxing instrumental music (42.5%), foreign pop (30.6%), or classical music (15.7%). In the waiting room, they wanted random radio music (35.1%), their own playlist (29.9%), TV shows (20.1%), or news (16.4%). They would be irritated by impersonal staff treatment (44%), disrespectful behavior (41.8%), hearing other patients in pain (41.8%), staff communication issues (37.3%), or complaints from others (30.6%), but only 12.7% by the lack of music in the clinic. Overall, Figure 2 shows data referring to the first research question of this study. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l l c c} \hline \hline  & & **N** & \% \\ \hline \multirow{2}{*}{Gender} & Male & 58 & 43.3\% \\  & Female & 76 & 56.7\% \\  & 20–30 y & 33 & 24.6\% \\  & 31–40 y & 30 & 22.4\% \\ Age & 41–50 y & 22 & 16.4\% \\  & 51–60 y & 32 & 23.9\% \\  & \textgreater{}60 y & 17 & 12.7\% \\  & Secondary & 57 & 42.5\% \\ Education & Post-secondary & 24 & 17.9\% \\  & University & 53 & 39.6\% \\  & University undergraduate clinic & 29 & 21.6\% \\ Medical center & University postgraduate clinic & 26 & 19.4\% \\  & Private dental clinic with up to 2 seats & 36 & 26.9\% \\  & Private dental clinic with over 2 seats & 43 & 32.1\% \\  & 1–3 months & 28 & 20.9\% \\ Duration of therapy & 4–8 months & 36 & 26.9\% \\  & 9–12 months & 36 & 26.9\% \\  & 12 months or more & 34 & 25.4\% \\  & Yes & 6 & 4.5\% \\ Hearing loss & No & 124 & 92.5\% \\  & N/A & 4 & 3.0\% \\  & Not at all & 34 & 25.4\% \\ Noise sensitivity & Somewhat & 76 & 56.7\% \\  & Sensitive/Very sensitive & 24 & 17.9\% \\ Health status [M(SD)] & & 3.84 (0.95) \\ Noise disturbance from patients or staff [M(SD)] & & 2.11 (1.62) \\ Noise disturbance from machines [M(SD)] & & 2.28 (0.92) \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular} Note. For health status and noise disturbance from machines, the min value was 1, and the maximum value was 5. For noise disturbance from patients or staff, the min value was 0, and the maximum value was 8. The variable of noise disturbance from patients or staff was calculated from the aggregated responses to eight yes/no questions ([PERSON]’s \(\alpha\) = 0.533). The variable of noise disturbance from machines was calculated from the aggregated responses to three questions on a 5-point Likert scale ([PERSON]’s \(\alpha\) = 0.811).  
\end{table} 
Table 2: Demographic characteristics of the sample (N = 134). Table 3 presents data on the use of music players and related behaviors and answers to the second research question of this study. Participants primarily used radios (49.3%), headphones (41.0%), and smartphones (35.1%) for music. Most preferred moderate volume (44.0%), with significant portions liking high (29.9%) or low volumes (15.7%). Few listened at very high (8.2%) or very low volumes (1.5%). Only one person annoyed others with loud music. Speaking volumes in noisy environments were mostly moderate (36.6%) or high (35.1%).