Made even, though impoverished, we hear (12)
I believe the answer is:
straightened
'made' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to change as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?
'even though impoverished we hear' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'even' could be 'straight' (similar in meaning) and 'straight' is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for straightened that I've seen is " Put in order".)