Does Hearing Loss Disqualify Me from Audiophiledom?

IMHO, hearing is to audio what eye sight is to fine art. Yes, you need to be able to hear or see for both, but better sight or hearing ability doesn’t necessarily make you better at identifying and recognizing the finer points....experience and exposure to better sound help us develop a more advanced point of reference.

My vision is still fine, but I know nothing about fine art....never had any exposure or interest. My hearing was better when I first started in audio 1981, but I was far less experienced at recognizing good sound. Exposure to great sounding gear can help us to learn to recognize it when we hear it. I’m sure the same is true of art.

Had my hearing tested for my recent 70th Birthday (70 is the new 50).

Tell you what, the frequencies were presented (via headphones) SO LOW (25 db?) they were barely discernable. From my own experience, I’d say the test was invalid. I can hear triangles at the back of the stage, musicians turning their music pages, audience members sniffing and coughing (when listening at normal levels), etc.. I can hold my arm straight out, rub my fingers lightly together and hear it plainly. The technician said I had a 6khz cutoff. At normal levels, I disagree.

BTW, this testing center also sold hearing aids. Couldn’t have anything to do with it, right?

@gruvjet My speakers are very flat and hearing aids generally try to get your flat. they only go up to 10k hz, alas above 10k hz isn't the realm of people much beyond 50.  Hearing aids in my experience have to be programmed by the professional, you can't play with it at home with your stereo.

I read a post by someone hear lately that programmed his equalizer to fill in for his hearing issues creating a flat response, thus simulating hearing aids. 

As long as you value good sounding music you are in the club.  

Regarding "loss in the higher register, tinitits and unbalanced hearing" The first and third are problematic, but certainly don't disqualify you from being an audiophile. The second symptom, however, is another matter entirely.