Flexible body hydrophone

A hydrophone (20) includes an axially orientated body (22) formed of a flexible, plastic material. The body includes a plurality of channels (24) and each channel may have one or more wells (26) adapted to receive an active element (28) which includes mounting hardware. Each channel may have a chamfered edge to reduce wear on the outer shell of the hydrophone. The mounting hardware includes a soft, rubber grommet (38) or other means which suspends the active element, thereby permitting the flexing of the body (22) without introducing that motion to the active element (28). The grommet (38) may be held in place by a jaw formed from an upper (44, Fig 3) and lower plate (46, Fig 3) of the mounting assembly. The active element may be a piezoelectric element supported on a hollow box or an optical element. In a further embodiment the hydrophone may be mounted on a seismic streamer cable and have a means for isolating the active element from cable strain.