Hearing (8)
'hearing' is the definition.
(I know that hearing can be written as audience)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for audience that I've seen before include "Assembly of spectators" , "Concert listeners" , "Assembly gathered to watch, say, a play" , "People attending theatre" , "A gathering to watch and hear" .)
(Other definitions for aids that I've seen before include "Helps with a dread disease" , "Condition following infection with HIV virus" , "Comes to the rescue" , "Assists" , "Said to be a dread modern disease" .)