Background: Clinical trials of cell-based therapies using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have already been started for several neurological diseases. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to explore the characteristics and differentiation of somatic cells in vitro undergoing a low pH treatment, so as to provide new therapeutic strategies for treating sensorineural hearing loss. Methods: Somatic cells were treated with low pH solution to alter their characteristics. In addition, a mouse model of the cochlear lesion was constructed using bilirubin. Subsequently, the characteristics and therapeutic effect of somatic cells undergoing low pH treatment were examined by morphology, alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity, immunofluorescence assay and q-PCR. Results: The cells in the experimental group grew better than those in the control group. The AKP activity in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group. The expression of Nanog and Oct4 was both positive in the two groups. When the cells were changed to neurobasal medium, the marker of nestin was positive. Conclusion: The human somatic cells undergoing a low pH treatment showed the similar characteristics as those of iPS cells, although the functions and therapeutic effect of these altered human somatic cells need to be further studied.