Brought up as left-winger absorbing Listener (6)
I believe the answer is:
reared
'brought up' is the definition.
(rearing is a kind of bringing up)
'left-winger absorbing listener' is the wordplay.
'left-winger' becomes 'red' (red is a kind of left-winger).
'absorbing' is an insertion indicator.
'listener' becomes 'ear' (I've seen this before).
'red' going around 'ear' is 'REARED'.
'as' is the link.
(Other definitions for reared that I've seen before include "upright" , "Provided and cared for during childhood" , "Raised" , "Brought up, nurtured" , "Nurtured - rose on hind legs" .)