Something shaky, we hear (6)
I believe the answer is:
rattle
'hear' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with perception as well as being verbs in their base form.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for rattle that I've seen before include "Child's noisy toy" , "Baby's toy; sound of loose part" , "Unnerve - baby's plaything" , "Lively old song - Shake, . . . . . . and roll" , "Disconcert - conductor, Simon" .)