Difficulty in hearing (5)
I believe the answer is:
trial
This clue is a double definition.
'difficulty' is the first definition.
(thesaurus)
'hearing' is the second definition.
(as in a court case)
'in' is the link.
(Other definitions for trial that I've seen before include "Test of suitability" , "Proceedings to determine guilt or innocence" , "Judicial examination" , "sessions?" , "Legal case" .)