A system for reducing the vibration sensitivity of an implantable
microphone without an equal or greater reduction in sound sensitivity.
The system reduces non-ambient vibrations by placing at least one
compliant member into the path of transmission for tissue-borne
vibration, but not into the path for ambient sound-induced vibration.
More particularly, a compliant member is interposed along the path
between a source of non-ambient vibration and an implanted microphone. In
one aspect, a compliant base member is disposed between an implanted
microphone and an implant wearer's skull. In another aspect, a microphone
is compliantly suspended relative to an implant housing using a support
membrane. In either aspect, the compliant member (i.e., base member
and/or membrane) and the supported member (i.e., housing and/or
microphone) define a supported system having a natural or resonant
frequency. This natural frequency may be set to a value to advantageously
isolate the microphone against transmitted vibration.