A method for use in an implantable hearing instrument, including receiving an output signal from an implanted microphone implanted in a person, identifying a first characteristic of said output signal, based on said first characteristic, amplifying said microphone output signal by at least one of a plurality of gain settings to produce an amplified signal, wherein said plurality of gain setting comprise at least two different gain settings, inputting said amplified signal into a signal processor, processing said amplified signal to generate a transducer drive signal； and using said transducer drive signal to drive implanted auditory stimulation device implanted in a person to stimulate an auditory component.
