"Sawing your ear off..." gave me a chuckle.
I noticed an irritation from the elastic behind my right ear a week ago. But using the same mask yesterday I didn't get it. (I only go out for provender about once a week.)
I'm wondering if it wasn't a function of which eyeglasses I was wearing, or maybe capturing a couple of hairs under the twisty string or on which ear I slept that night or something. It was quite annoying and if it happens again I might dope out a method of cushioning the elastic back there.