New to tubes

I just got a Musical Fidelity X-pre preamp, which contains two tubes (KT-88's I think). How do tubes age? Will I hear a deteriation in sound? Or will this go so slow my ears will adapt to it, so I won't notice it? Or will they just quit working when there too old?
Basically: how do I know when it's time to change them?
Thanx in advance.