ACROSS
 7. RING AI inside HEAD = HEARING AID <&lit.>
 9. <host> ARMY = BARMY - B
10. <flyer's protection> ELYTRA = (.r)ELY TRA(v.)
11. <branch> OFFSHOOT = OFF SHOOT
12. <poet may be bugged by this> METROMANIA = MET ROMANIA
14. FRITZ - F = RITZ <luxury>
15. (.r)DER I DE(s.) = DERIDE <scoff at>
17. LEMONS* = SOLEMN <august>
18. <something sung> ARIA = A ←AIR←
19. <amazed> ASTONISHED = TON I SHED after A_S
22. (WINE AD)* outside ME = NEW MEDIA <online communication>
23. IN VENT = INVENT <forge>
25. <smile> GRIN = GRIN[-d]
26. <mathematician> TOPOLOGIST = TO POLO GIST

DOWN
 1. <Brazilian coin> REAL <not counterfeit>
 2. "GREATER" = GRATER <utensil>
 3. <slot machine> ONE-ARMED BANDIT = (TIMER ABANDONED)*
 4. <dark red> MAROON <strand>
 5. <old soldier> WARHORSE = "WORE + HOARSE"
 6. I'M PORT AN C_E = IMPORTANCE <account>
 8. DAFFY outside A DOWN DILL = DAFFADOWNDILLY <yellow flower>
13. <fruit> ELDERBERRY = ELDER "BURY"
16. REAR MING = REARMING <sending new weapons>
20. T_ RAMPS = TRAMPS <hikes>
21. <wild> SAVAGE = SAGE outside VA
24. ←Y SON← = NOSY <meddlesome>