How one's ears can burn! (4)
I believe the answer is:
sear
'burn' is the definition.
(sear can mean to burn)
'how one's ears' is the wordplay.
'ears' can be anagrammed to 'SEAR'.
However, I am not clear how the anagram is indicated.
'can' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sear that I've seen before include "Burn, scorch intensely" , "Scorch or burn the surface of" , "Make very hot and dry" , "Cook (quickly at great heat)" , "Cauterise" .)