Chances are that if you're male or over 30 you've already experienced some degree of measurable loss in acuity (based upon what could have been measured when you were in your teens). It happens to everyone, happens earlier than anyone recognizes or admits, and that helps point out how gradual it is and how it really pretty much does not affect the vast majority of the population in any real way. For starters, you simply will not be able to hear high frequencies (16kHz and up) - and you will likely not notice it at all. Yes, some people do have hearing that good when they're young (my son has been tested and his acuity is unreal today - but like everyone else the clock is already ticking on that one) but it's a fact that either age or abuse will unconditionally lead to some level of measurable loss. Other things (tinnitus, for one) may have a much greater impact than loss of hearing 16K+. As far as enjoying audio, it really just will not matter that much.
The future of my hearing
One day I know my hearing will not be as keen as it is now. I'm not forecasting a huge hearing loss but I realize highs and lows may not be as dynamic and intelligibility may be an issue. The sad fact is I, and all of you, will have some hearing loss. I wonder if my hearing change will affect my equipment likes or my love of certain types of music. For those of you who experienced a hearing change, how has a hearing change affected your listening pleasure? How did you have to compensate for hearing changes? Also, if your listening pleasure diminished did you change your system? Sorry if this topic seems negative but it is, with a few exceptions, reality for all of us if we live past our late 60's. I want to know what others have experienced.