听力损失（HL）是感觉系统中最常见且多种多样的疾病，全球范围内患病率较高。在听神经（第八对脑神经）的细胞中，耳蜗存在着毛细胞、螺旋神经节神经元、类胶质支持细胞和舒旺氏细胞（SCs），这些细胞异常被认为是导致HL的原因。值得注意的是，由SC源头发生的良性听神经肿瘤，称为前庭舒旺氏瘤（VS），已被指出是导致HL的原因之一。重要的是，SCs是包鞘轴突和外周神经的主要胶质细胞，并形成髓鞘。受伤后，SCs会重新编程，表达一些干细胞特征。尽管控制它们的生物学过程（如增殖、迁移、分化和髓鞘形成）的机制和因素已被广泛揭示，但其在VS和HL中的作用却少有研究。在本综述中，我们阐明了SCs转化、VS发展和进展的一些机制，并着重关注可能导致HL发病或进展的环境因素。将生物分子实验台内研究方法与临床实践相结合，对听力学诊断、预测和治疗方法可能会有所帮助。© 2023. 作者。

Hearing loss (HL) is the most common and heterogeneous disorder of the sensory system, with a large morbidity in the worldwide population. Among cells of the acoustic nerve (VIII cranial nerve), in the cochlea are present the hair cells, the spiral ganglion neurons, the glia-like supporting cells, and the Schwann cells (SCs), which alterations have been considered cause of HL. Notably, a benign SC-derived tumor of the acoustic nerve, named vestibular schwannoma (VS), has been indicated as cause of HL. Importantly, SCs are the main glial cells ensheathing axons and forming myelin in the peripheral nerves. Following an injury, the SCs reprogram, expressing some stemness features. Despite the mechanisms and factors controlling their biological processes (i.e., proliferation, migration, differentiation, and myelination) have been largely unveiled, their role in VS and HL was poorly investigated. In this review, we enlighten some of the mechanisms at the base of SCs transformation, VS development, and progression, likely leading to HL, and we pose great attention on the environmental factors that, in principle, could contribute to HL onset or progression. Combining the biomolecular bench-side approach to the clinical bedside practice may be helpful for the diagnosis, prediction, and therapeutic approach in otology.© 2023. The Author(s).