Hearing loss is the most common congenital sensory impairment. Mutations or deficiencies of theGJB2gene are the most common genetic cause of congenital non-syndromic deafness. Pathological changes such as decreased potential in the cochlea, active cochlear amplification disorders, cochlear developmental disorders and macrophage activation have been observed in variousGJB2transgenic mouse models. In the past, researchers generally believed that the pathological mechanisms underlyingGJB2-related hearing loss comprised a K+circulation defect and abnormal ATP-Ca2+signals. However, recent studies have shown that K+circulation is rarely associated with the pathological process ofGJB2-related hearing loss, while cochlear developmental disorders and oxidative stress play an important, even critical, role in the occurrence ofGJB2-related hearing loss. Nevertheless, these research has not been systematically summarized. In this review, we summarize the pathological mechanisms ofGJB2-related hearing loss, including aspects of K+circulation, developmental disorders of the organ of Corti, nutrition delivery, oxidative stress and ATP-Ca2+signals. Clarifying the pathological mechanism ofGJB2-related hearing loss can help develop new prevention and treatment strategies.