Some embodiments relate to an optical microphone according to an example embodiment. The optical microphone includes a semiconducting laser. The semiconducting laser includes a p-n junction within a cavity. The optical microphone further includes an acoustic membrane that receives coherent light emitted from the semiconducting laser and directs reflected light back toward the semiconducting laser. During operation of the optical microphone, the acoustic membrane flexes in response to pressure waves. The phase of the reflected light is dependent upon a distance of the acoustic membrane from the semiconducting laser.