Two operating principles that sprang into my mind:
1. Induction device - basically a magnet suspended within an induction coil. Vibrations result in movements of the coil with respect to the magnet, thus inducing a voltage that can be measured.
2. Piezoelectric device. Search for "knock sensor" to get an idea of what can be done, how it works etc.
If properly implemented, both principles can have lifespans in the 2-digit years.
If you want to sense fast signals that are of relatively small energy content, try piezoelectric based sensors. If you wish to sense slow signals of high energy content, try strain gauges.
LVDT(linear variable differential transducer) the transducer used, as induced voltage(V)= do/dt(variation of flux with variation of time)= (do/di)(di/dt)= L(di/dt) and inductance(L) varies with vibration by making core more or less inductive(varing reluctance), to produced(induced) differential, voltage accordingly, of secondaries.....
As noted or implied from other respondents, a moving coil, ribbon or piezoelectric microphone would do - two, with each feeding a differential amplifier, would allow the vibration in question to be isolated from background noise. Microphones are very sensitive so beware of overload.