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They absorb hearsay and vice-versa (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ears

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'they' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are plural nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'absorb hearsay and vice-versa' is the wordplay.
'EARS' is hidden in amongst the letters.
But, I am not sure how this is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ears that I've seen before include "Listening organs" , "Lugholes" , "Spikes (of cereals)" , "Lugs (colloq.)" , "Auditory organs" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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