An investigation of soundscape perception in oncology polyclinics' waiting area based on biophilia hypothesis paradigm: a field and laboratory survey study

Abstract

The present study employed an in-between investigation to examine changes in soundscape perception in two waiting areas of Ankara City Oncology assessing both audio-visual environments. For the investigation, a questionnaire survey procedure was employed based on a Biophilia Hypothesis Paradigm in the field and laboratory. While it is important to establish a baseline from a soundscape perspective within the paradigm, the latter establishes an investigation procedure that claims a positive affective outcome. Important measures for this study are Biophilic Quality using the Biophilic Interior Design Index (BIDI), Affective Attributes, Sound Overall Quality, Appropriateness, and Sound Source Dominance following ISO/TS 12913-2:2018., Method A. For the visual environment, Visual Appropriateness and Overall Quality were assessed. For the laboratory setting, audio and visual environments are digitally reproduced using still images and binaural recordings accordingly. Overall, 112 subjects completed the survey considered for further analysis. Significant differences were tested separately with the t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. The biophilic quality between waiting areas in the field varies from low to moderate biophilic, while the sound descriptors identify an eventful, annoying, monotonous, and chaotic sound environment for both waiting areas and settings based on mean scores.