What is perceptually-based compression for audio data?

Perceptually-based compression for audio data is a technique that reduces file size by removing audio information that is less audible to the human ear. It relies on psychoacoustic principles, which recognize that certain sounds can mask others, allowing for the elimination of frequencies and details that won't significantly affect perceived audio quality. This approach is commonly used in audio formats like MP3 and AAC, where it balances quality and compression efficiency. By focusing on human auditory perception, perceptually-based compression achieves smaller file sizes while maintaining an acceptable level of sound quality.