The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word TINNITUS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
T
I
N
N
I
T
U
S
More clues leading to the result TINNITUS
- Problem in hearing, wouldn’t you say, workers organisations get round
- Book about pub causes a sensational complaint
- Ear complaint can fool American
- Buzzing sound can fool us
- Receiver of holy letter about hostelry gets unpleasant sensation
- Second half of cancan coming up — usher, remove that woman causing problem for audience
- Ringing can fool American
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Ear complaint" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case ear complaint = tinnitus.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does TINNITUS mean?
TINNITUS noun- The perception of noise, such as a ringing or beating sound, which has no external source.