Objective To assess the effect of early auditory perception training on the linguistic function and temperament of infants with developmental delays.Methods A total of 104 infants or toddlers with developmental delays treated at a Henan hospital between April 2015 and April 2016 were included in this study.Using sealed envelopes

these infants were randomized to receive routine rehabilitation plus early auditory perception training（trial group

n=52）or routine rehabilitation alone（control group

n=52）.The response rate

linguistic developmental quotient（DQ）score

and temperament score were compared between the two groups.Results The pre-treatment linguistic DQ score was similar between the two groups（P>0.05）;after treatment

the linguistic DQ score was improved in both groups

with greater improvement in the trial group（P<0.05）.The overall response rate was significantly higher in the trial group than that in the control group（P<0.05）.The pre-treatment scores of all temperament domains were similar between the two groups（P>0.05）;after treatment

six domains（rhythmicity

adaptability

reaction intensity

persistency

distractibility

and reaction threshold）were reduced in both groups

with greater reductions in the trial group（P<0.05）;the other three domains（activity level

approach-withdrawal

and mood）remained unchanged in both groups

which were also comparable between the two groups after treatment（P>0.05）.Conclusion For infants and toddlers with developmental delays

early auditory perception training is effective in improving their linguistic function

enhancing their language abilities

modulating their temperament

and making them more adaptable to social development.