My ears of tin are over 50

I am not yet 50 but recently went to an audiologist to get my hearing tested, I recommend that to everyone. I confirmed what I had already suspected, I lost the ability to hear high frequencies, I top out at about 16khz. Now I pay little attention to equipment that does not hit 20khz of has "rolled off" highs, I can't hear them anyway. He did say my hearing was very sharp though, able to hear as quiet as 5db.

Either you are pulling our leg or Jim pulled yours! He has been asked this question and has a good answer in his book "Get Better Sound". He tells of a conductor in his 70's (musicians are exposed to very loud sound levels on stage) who could "hear" better than a bunch of audiophiles. His point being you become "experienced" and can "hear" things that others miss. More than likely this conductor would have failed his audiology test!

Actually, After taking just a couple of moments to peruse Jim Smith's site I found that the hearing loss at age 50 comment was one of the myths he claims are often accepted as "ACK" (Audiophile Common Knowledge). He is saying that it is not true that past 50 you can no longer hear well enough to really care about your sound quality. I am sure that virtually all of us experience some hearing loss throughout our lives, but there is no reason not to enjoy this hobby in spite of that fact.

Obviously, different people hear differently at any age.

of course as you get older , your hearing does change. Normally, the ability to hear very high frequencies deteriorates normally to some extent as you age. What happens from there I think is highly variable depending on the wear and tear on your ears, genes, etc.

Jim's statement is obviously not true. Most audiophiles, the ones who care the most, are old or aging geezers, including myself (age: 50).

I have tested my system and my hearing using the same test record since I was a teenager. My ability to hear the highest frequencies audible to humans is gone at this age, as is the norm. However, I hear the rest, including the middle ranges where most sound occurs and the lower ranges on my system just fine!

So yes, in terms of frequency response, your ears lose that over time, but normally, you can still hear most all that matters assuming you are still interested to do so and not chasing other hobbies as you get older.

Jim Smith never said this. Actually he said that it is a myth.