I still think your basic woodburning stove would be a reasonable 'back-up' to the electric H/A unit that is currently out of service. I would also invest in electric blankets for all of the beds. If your too sick to work because of this, then your going to be out of work and freezing your asses off in cardboard boxes.
Back to the main point. I dont think you were intentionally rude. But I do think this was one of those "Hey-you-dont-know-what-you've-got-until-you've-said-good-bye" moments. You are correct that most hearing don't even think twice about their ability to hear and can't fathom not being able to hear. They know there are deaf people, but deafness just isnt a part of their world so they never consider it.
Just as one who is seeing can never imagine being blind because they don't have that daily exposure to it, so they never consider it.
