An implantable microphone for use with an implantable hearing instrument
that has a reduced vibration sensitivity in comparison with its acoustic
sensitivity. The microphone utilizes a plurality of small diaphragms as
opposed to a single large diaphragm in order to reduce vibration
sensitivity caused by mass loading of the diaphragms by overlying skin
and tissue. The acoustic outputs of the plurality of small diaphragms are
summed (e.g., acoustically or electronically), which allows the
microphone to maintain adequate acoustic sensitivity for hearing
augmentation purposes while having a reduced vibration sensitivity. In
one aspect, the plurality of diaphragms is formed from a single membrane
and a multi-apertured support structure in contact with the membrane.
Each aperture in combination with the membrane defines a single
diaphragm.