# Patients' Perceptions of Sound and Noise Dimensions in the Dental Clinic Soundscape
## 2 Methodology
### Questionnaire of the Study  
In this study, we used the questionnaire study technique, which is a systematic method for data collection. Furthermore, it has previously been used to investigate people's sensations in the presence of different sound stimuli in a dental environment [7]. So, a structured questionnaire was designed to address the objectives of this study. The questionnaire included an introductory message describing the aim of this study. It was further noted that participation was voluntary, and confidentiality was guaranteed. Participants had the right to refuse to participate. The questionnaire included the following sections: (a) Part I, demographic information (age, gender, gender, educational level, clinic of attendance, duration of treatment) (Q1-Q5); (b) Part II, two questions (Q6-Q7) about patients' acoustic health; (c) Part III, a question with five subquestions and a question with one subquestion concerning anxiety and potential irritations in the dental clinic (Q8-Q9); (d) Part IV, two questions about sound preferences in the waiting area (Q10-Q11); (e) Part V, eight questions regarding patients' hobbies and habits (Q12-Q19); (f) Part VI, two questions about patients' general health and their interest in the effect of sound on health (Q20-Q21); and (g) Part VII, two questions about patients' dental experience with noise (Q22-Q23). More specifically, the questionnaire investigated demographic characteristics of the sample, including gender, age, and educational level of the participants (as seen in questions Q1-Q3), which have also been described elsewhere as possible correlating factors to dental anxiety [34]. Questions Q4 and Q5 inquired about the patients' clinic of attendance and the duration of their treatment there as background information. Questions Q6 and Q7 related to possible diagnosis of hearing loss and patients' sensitivity to noise, respectively [35]. These questions had multiple-choice answers. Questions Q8.1-Q8.5 addressed patients' potential discomfort regarding the crowded environment in the clinic as well as concerns about noise generated by various dental equipment such as suction devices, dental handpieces, and the ultrasonic scaler [2; 8; 36]. This question required answers in terms of a 5-point Likert scale, where 1 = \"never (does not apply)\", 2 = \"Rarely (applies to a small extent)\", 3 = \"Sometimes (applies and does not apply)\", 4 = \"Often (applies to a large extent)\", and 5 = \"Always (always applies)\". Q9 addressed aspects that may lead to dissatisfaction, encompassing patient and staff behavior as well as the environment of the dental clinic [36; 37]. Q10-Q11 referred to patients' preferences regarding audiovisual content in the waiting room [2; 23] and their music preferences [23]. In Q12, a question that is based on the 'Health Assessment of Noise Exposure Update Questionnaire' [35], conducted by the University of California, but also on a study by [PERSON] et al. [38], patients filled in their hobbies. Moreover, questions Q13-Q19 were based on the equipment patients use when listening to music and their listening habits [39]. Questions Q20-Q21 were about the general health of the participants and their interest in the effect of sound on their health. Questions Q9-Q11.1 and Q13-Q21 were also multiple-choice questions. Finally, open-ended questions, Q22-23, gathered patients' perspectives on enhancing their clinic experience, specifically regarding sound and any concerns they may have regarding noise within the dental practice. Before the full-scale implementation, the questionnaire underwent pilot testing with a small group of individuals to ensure clarity, relevance, and appropriateness of the questions. Adjustments were made based on feedback received during this phase. The structure of the final questionnaire is seen in Table 1.  
The questionnaire was available in written form but was also assigned a specific QR code so that participants were digitally introduced to the purpose of this study while waiting for their appointment in the reception areas.