Question on faction hits while killing HK guards

[eddyystop1999]

The xp has been nerfed for the Left Goblin Ears quest, yet people are still offered 15p an ear. Perhaps related to that, a human rogue mentioned they were still not amiable to the guards after turning in xxx ears. That same rogue later leveled a lot on the HK guards.

(1) Is there a reason to get to amiable before starting to kill the guards?
(2) Are ears being used to try and offset the faction hits from killing the guards?

Thanks in advance.