The application relates to a hearing assistance device adapted for being located in or at a specific one of a left or a right ear of a user, and comprising an input unit for receiving an input signal and an output unit for providing an output signal. The application further relates to a method and to a hearing assistance system. The application aims at providing an improved scheme for detecting left/right placement of a hearing device. The hearing assistance device further comprises a memory unit wherein information about the intended location of the hearing assistance device is or can be stored, a location identification unit configured to extract an intended location from said memory unit, and a user interface configured to convey information related to the intended and/or current location of the hearing assistance device. A user is thus informed, if the hearing assistance device(s) is/are not located as intended.