I'm asking specifically as it pertains to the Aura of Madness 8th level power granted by the Madnesss Domain, but it seems to me that many similar powers are worded in the same fashion:
Aura of Madness (Su): At 8th level, you can emit a 30-foot aura of madness for a number of rounds per day equal to your cleric level. Enemies within this aura are affected by confusion unless they make a Will save with a DC equal to 10 + ½ your Cleric level + your Wisdom modifier. The confusion effect ends immediately when the creature leaves the area or the aura expires. Creatures that succeed on their saving throw are immune to this aura for 24 hours. These rounds do not need to be consecutive.
Does the Aura require a standard action to activate and then a standard action to maintain each round? I can't find any information or FAQ that indicates exactly how this works one way or another.
I think that Su abilities are standard actions by default, unless they say differently. But it's always seemed odd when applied to auras. And monster auras tend to be cheaper to turn on and off again.
I assumed it was a standard action to turn on, but does it eat a standard action every round you choose to leave it active? Ordinarily I'd say no, but the fact that you seem to actually use them round-by-round makes me wonder.
You don't need a standard action to maintain the aura.
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The common assumption (because you are right it does a poor job of defining it) is that it takes a standard action to turn on any of the cleric auras and a free action to maintain them. At the beginning of each turn after you turn it on you can choose whether to maintain it, spending another round of use, or let it expire.