Cover for The Listener needing attention, leading to panic (7)
I believe the answer is:
earflap
'cover for the listener' is the definition.
(ears listen to things)
'attention leading to panic' is the wordplay.
'attention' becomes 'ear' (having someone's ear is having their attention).
'leading to' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (some letters go before or lead others).
'panic' becomes 'flap' (getting in a flap is panicking).
'ear'+'flap'='EARFLAP'
'needing' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for earflap that I've seen before include "Winter hat feature" , "ski gear?" , "Part of headgear" .)