I am constantly making lists of topics that I want to write about in this, my monthly column on hearing health care. Some of those topics stay in my idea file because they are too short to write a full-length article. I decided for this December to write about many small topics and clean out my file of ideas and give you some holiday and New Year’s tidbits.

First, it has been my annual custom this month to tell you not to buy hearing aids for anyone at Christmas! Getting hearing help is deeply personal and the patient must be ready. Offer your help to get them to an appointment if needed and even financial help if they are family and in need. Don’t, however, just surprise them with a set of hearing aids. I can’t speak to other clinics, but I would not sell them to someone who was planning to do that. Offer your help in any way needed but let the decision to hear better be theirs, not yours for them.

Next, hearing aid battery packaging came under federal child proof guidelines this past year. No one wants any child to choke, but in an over-reaction the batteries are sealed in a very hard plastic, one at a time, and considerable effort is needed to get the battery out. In seeking to do a good thing for children, they have inflicted torment of the elderly population of the nation who struggle to get their batteries out of the plastic. I can’t get batteries in the older packaging but take calls each week from frustrated seniors about this new regulation.

The hearing aid industry continues to be deeply impacted by insurance companies using a third-party administrator to offer benefits to the policy members. When a business agrees to be a provider for that insurance company, we agree to a provider fee that is received 45-90 days after the patient takes delivery of their new aids. Many clinics have high overhead and cannot participate in the small fees instead of profit on the sale of the hearing aids. I am constantly helping patients who travel a great distance, and am glad to do so, because no one closer gives them access to their insurance benefits. Carefully check your benefits in 2026 and inquire as to where the closest network provider works.

I am always being asked if there is new technology coming out soon that will enhance hearing. There are several products that will launch in January that will be smaller and for the first time, very small custom made rechargeability. The downside is these devices will be available for moderate hearing loss not those who battle very severe loss. I will run some ads when those products are out and available.

Lastly, I am frequently asked about my retirement plans. I turned seventy last July and have no plans to step aside soon. Last summer I took Fridays off to mow grass and other household needs. I enjoyed it so much that I am going to a Monday through Thursday schedule, with earlier and later appointments to try and fit patients in that four-day work week. Also, I am hiring a retired audiologist part time to cover for me when I am on vacation or if I get sick. We are still working though some of the details, but that professional may cover some Fridays as needed too.

I will save some of my tidbits for later in the coming year. Have a Merry Christmas and remember that Jesus really is the reason for the season!

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Jeffrey L. Bayliff, NBC-HIS, is owner of Hear the Birds Hearing Aid Center in Lock Haven, Pa.