The short-range structures of hydrated and dry samples of the proton-conducting, cubic-structured, acceptor-doped perovskites BaM0.10Zr0.90O2.95 (M=Y, In, Sc and Ga), and, for comparison, BaZrO3, have been investigated using infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The results show that the acceptor-doping leads to local structural distortions of the average cubic structure, most likely related to tilts of (M/Zr)O-6 octahedra, and that the distortions are most pronounced in the Ga-doped material for which we also find additional distortions upon hydration. For the Y-, In- and Sc-doped equivalents the distortions are somewhat weaker and hydration is found to have a reversed, although weak, effect. A comparison of the spectroscopic results to the reported proton diffusivities of the investigated materials would suggest that the much lower proton diffusivity in the Ga-doped material is associated to its stronger structural distortions. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.