Permitted to be heard? (5)
I believe the answer is:
aloud
'permitted to be heard?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'permitted to be heard?' is the wordplay.
'permitted' becomes 'allowed' ('allow' can be a synonym of 'permit').
'to be heard?' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'allowed' sounds like 'ALOUD'.
(Other definitions for aloud that I've seen before include "At some volume" , "In an audible voice" , "Using the voice, not silently" , "it is said" , "Not silently or in a whisper" .)