In Memory of Mary B. Meikle, Ph.D.

Mary B. Meikle, Ph.D. was a loving wife, mother, friend and accomplished tinnitus researcher just like her late husband, Jack A. Vernon, Ph.D. On February 5, 2011, Mary lost her battle with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. There are no words to explain the deep sense of loss felt by all who knew Mary in losing both her and Jack less than three months apart.

Aside from being "the woman behind the man" in their personal relationship, Mary was also, as Jack would often say, “a scientific force in her own right.” Dr. Meikle was the first-ever ATA grant recipient, back in 1980, to establish the Tinnitus Data Registry which helped to revolutionize diagnostics and clinical care for tinnitus patients across the world. This project, also attracted funding from the National Institutes of Health to expand its reach and application. The Tinnitus Archive, as it is now known, is a great source of data to look at subsets of symptoms of tinnitus patients and continues to be a useful tool for tinnitus researchers and clinicians.

We have learned that Mary was working to improve the lives of tinnitus patients right up until hours before she took her last breath. The Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI), which Mary had been working on for the past 8 years with over 20 co-investigators, is a diagnostic tool that sets out to standardize testing for tinnitus patients. The final manuscript was submitted this past weekend (on deadline), to the editors of Ear and Hearing. The TFI will be a true testament to Mary's dedication to improving clinical tools for tinnitus clinicians and ultimately the lives of tinnitus patients.

As Mary's good friend and colleague, Dr. William Hal Martin said, “Mary was a serious scientist with the highest ethical standards and expectations for the purity of her work. She was also very playful and funny. When you were in a room with Mary, she made you feel special, important, considered and respected. She could converse and connect with people of all ages and backgrounds. Mary had it all: beauty, intelligence, grace, humor, passion and warmth."

Jack always referred to Mary as his “chief” friend. Together they changed the lives of countless tinnitus patients for the better. They drove the science - basic and then clinical care - to where tinnitus patients received the help they needed, and will continue to have hope for a quieter future. Together, they were a scientific force to be reckoned with and personally, an example to others on “how” to love a partner. If there is any good to come from this sadness and loss, it's that Jack and Mary are once again together, forever.

Click here to read tributes to Mary

To donate to tinnitus research in memory of Mary, please visit this link.