The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word INQUIRY
I
N
Q
U
I
R
Y
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "hearing" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case hearing = inquiry.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 INQUIRY mean?
INQUIRY noun- The act of inquiring; a seeking of information by asking questions; interrogation; a question or questioning.
- Search for truth, information, or knowledge; examination of facts or principles; research; investigation